Field Science and Laboratories

The success of FDA activities to protect the public health often depends on the ability of the Agency's laboratories to quickly and accurately analyze samples. To prevent distribution of a product that has been found to be in violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, FDA uses its field laboratories to analyze samples and report results for regulatory action.  

The Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) operates 13 high throughput field laboratories, located strategically across the continental United States and Puerto Rico, to support FDA's mission to protect the public health and to create new knowledge in the field of regulatory science. Below are profiles for each of ORA's 13 field laboratories.

ORA's Laboratory Manual, now available in the left navigation area, is the reference manual for FDA laboratory personnel. It provides FDA personnel with information on internal procedures to be used as an agency policy for testing consumer products, training of laboratory staff, report writing, safety, research, review of private laboratory reports and court testimony.