The Food Laboratory is responsible for the testing of meat products produced at locker plants throughout Iowa. The food microbiology section analyses both raw and finished product meat samples to look for microbial contamination by either Salmonella or Listeria bacteria. The samples are testing according to USDA and FDA standards. This lab works with the Meat and Poultry Bureau of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to regulate locker plants and to insure the safety of the meat supply. The Food Laboratory is certified by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to test drinking water samples for coliform bacteria and nitrate concentration.
Water is sampled from public water supplies, locker plants, dairies and private wells.
The water is tested according to EPA standards. This lab is one of many across the state that is working to insure the safety of the drinking water supply.