The laboratories are a part of Radiochemical, Microbiological and Chemical Testing for Food Defense and Capability Development and Food Emergency Response Network Programs of the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture.  

Research is focused on monitoring toxic organic contaminants including controlled substances, alkaloids and emerging threats in foods as well as metals and radioactivity.  

Research activities involve development and validation of analytical methods for measuring a wide range of environmental contaminants including pesticides, alkaloids, and mycotoxins in food matrices and surveillance of food supplies.