​APHL promotes the role of state and local public health laboratories and agricultural laboratories in the detection, testing, and surveillance of foodborne pathogens. APHL advances laboratory practice by increasing the competence of laboratory staff, improving the capabilities of member laboratories, and strengthening the credibility of results generated by food testing laboratories. ​

Molecular Surveillance for Enteric Diseases

APHL promotes PulseNet laboratories in submitting timely, high-quality data to the PulseNet National Databases and is helping the network move efficiently to next generation methods. For more than 20 years, PulseNet has revolutionized foodborne outbreak investigations with a high return on investment.

Improving Foodborne Outbreak Investigations

Working through the Council to Improve Foodborne Outbreak Response (CIFOR), APHL maintains a strong role in enhancing communication and collaboration across the disciplines involved in investigating foodborne illnesses. APHL has led the production of several tools and resources, including the OUE Guidelines and Food Safety Programs Reference Guide. 

Defensible, High-Quality Data

APHL and our members recognize that for laboratory data to fulfill its purpose, it must inform regulatory policy and actions, be viewed in the context of on-going disease, and be available as the basis for population-based burden of illness studies and trends analysis. We support our members that are seeking to achieve, maintain or enhance accreditation to the ISO 17025 standard, including comprehensive training and a resource site with over 200 uploads.

Partnerships

APHL collaborates with federal partners at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)​, the US Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

APHL is an active member of the CIFOR, which integrates local, state and federal efforts across many food safety disciplines to reduce the burden of foodborne illness in the United States. Three federal agencies and eight national associations sit on the CIFOR Council, which interacts with the regulated industry through workgroups and projects.

APHL is also working with the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to strengthen and integrate food and feed testing laboratories.