The Microbiology Laboratory work unit tests food, meat, beverages and water for microbiological safety and wholesomeness of food products. This includes participating in all United States Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration certification programs. One of it's major activities is the isolation identification of disease causing bacteria, when present in retail level foods, in response to foodborne illness complaints or product recall situations. The Microbiology Laboratory unit also monitors Minnesota's food industries to help prevent problems with food products, and works with the Agronomy and Plant Protection Division to test for bacteria injurious to seeds destined for foreign markets. This Section provides analytical services to the Agronomy and Plant Protection Division .
Services are provides to programs that regulate agronomic chemicals and practices.
Determinations for environmental fate, incident response, label claim and product integrity are performed on a variety of samples. This area also provides and administers analytical support for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources . The Agronomy Analysis Section supports the regulatory programs of the department. This area also provides analytical services to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources . The services provided include analysis of animal feed, fertilizer and agricultural lime to ensure accuracy of manufacturing and label claims.