DoD Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory (DoD FADL)

DoD Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory

The DoD’s premiere Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory (FADL) protects U.S. Service Members and their Families by ensuring food safety, food fitness for consumption, and contractual compliance through microbiological, chemical, and toxicological testing of food and bottled water. The lab also performs diagnostic testing of human and animal sera for Rabies. In addition, FADL also performs testing for Brucellosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme Disease, and other vector-borne and zoonotic diseases. The FADL is home to the DoD Cholinesterase Monitoring Program and Reference Laboratory offering occupational health screening for Federal Employees. Our staff of subject matter experts provide technical expertise to the DoD on integrating laboratory testing and food safety into science-based inspection systems and work with the U.S. Army MEDCoE to identify capability gaps in food protection missions, ensuring future developed systems provide safe sustenance to our Warfighters.

Our Mission

Provide premier Force Health Protection through innovative, adaptive, timely and accurate testing of all food, water, and diagnostic submissions for DoD through a highly efficient and accredited institution now and in the future.

The DoD FADL is currently comprised of four testing sections: Chemistry, Cholinesterase, Diagnostic, and Microbiology; and two administrative sections: Quality Assurance and Field Technical Support.

ACCREDITATIONS

The DOD FADL complies with Association of Official Analytical Collaboration (AOAC) International Guidelines for Laboratories Performing Microbiological and Chemical Analyses of Food, Dietary Supplements, Pharmaceuticals and performs sample analyses under ISO 15189/CLIP and ISO 17025:2017 standards. Please visit the following links for scopes covered under ISO 15189:2012/CLIP and ISO 17025:2017.

HOURS OF OPERATION

07:00 AM - 4:00 PM Central Standard Time Monday-Friday

CLOSED Weekends & Holidays

Questions concerning importation of pets and high-risk countries for dog rabies please visit the links below:

Traveling with Pets

High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies

Important Information / Contacts/ Forms & Documents

**Important FAVN Information: Eligibility for Services**

ONLY DoD beneficiaries who are authorized treatment at DoD Medical Treatment Facilities are authorized this service.

Our laboratory provides essential diagnostic testing services pets of DoD beneficiaries authorized at DoD Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs). This helps ensure their pet meets health requirements for travel to certain locations, protecting both their furry friends and the communities they visit.

If you are not Active-Duty Military, Retired Military, or a U.S. Federal Government Worker in the DoD Health System; you may contact one of the following labs:

Auburn University           virology@vetmed.auburn.edu

KSU                                       rabies@vet.k-state.edu

MU Lab                                muvmdlrabies@missouri.edu
Pet Travel Requirements / FAVN
Information regarding Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) testing.

ONLY DoD beneficiaries who are authorized treatment at DoD Medical Treatment Facilities are authorized this service.
1. Forms and Documents
Quick Forms:
- FAVN Requests Form D-132A FAVN (6Dec23)
- FAVN Instructions (6 Dec 23)
- FADL Credit Card Authorization Form
- FADL Form D-127 Blood Bank.pdf [PDF - 51.8 KB]
- FADL Form D-128NAFA - FADL Serology Request (14 December 2023).pdf [PDF - 176.9 KB]
Provides information regarding lab testing need when moving or traveling with your pet(s).

Only DoD beneficiaries who are authorized treatment at DoD Medical Treatment Facilities are authorized this service.

Points of Contact:

Shipping and Receiving Administrative Assistants:

210-295-4010/4605/4387

DSN: 421-4010/4605/4387

Fax: 210-270-2559

Technician Microbiologist: 210-295-0855; Fax: 210-295-4202

E-mail:  usarmy.jbsa.medcom-phc-w.list.phc-w-rabies-favn-sa@health.mil

The price for a FAVN request is $70.00 per privately owned dog or cat.

The laboratory fee must accompany the request for testing. We accept Money Order, Cashier Check, and Credit Card (Discover, Visa, or Master Card ONLY). Other Credit Cards, Cash, and Personal Check are not accepted.

Please fill out the Credit Card Authorization Form (FADL Form D-132C) (one form per owner with single or multiple samples). The cashier check or money order must be made payable to "DOD Vet Lab". If you submit 2 or more samples, payment can be combined in one.

At the bottom of the cashier check or money order, write pet name(s) on the "Memo" or "For" line.

TURN AROUND TIME & PROTOCOL FOR MAILING FAVN RESULTS:

Results can be expected 3-4 weeks after receipt of the sample(s). For persons going to Hawaii and Guam, the final report is mailed directly to the quarantine facility and a copy is sent to the submitting Veterinary Clinic. Pet owner should obtain a copy of the final report from their veterinarian/vet clinic. For all other destinations: United Kingdom (England), Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, etc… the final report is mailed directly to the pet owner address.

FOR ADDITIONAL FAVN ORIGINALS COPIES

The fee for a replacement or additional official FAVN report is $10.00 each. When a pet owner requests a form for any reason, the additional fee applies for each request. The request must come from the submitting clinic or veterinary hospital and must be paid by money order or credit card.

MULTIPLE DESTINATIONS

For multiple destinations separate FAVN forms D-132A must be filled out, each additional destination will have a $10 administrative fee.

Related Forms and Documents found here

See Our F.A.Q. Section

If you are not Active-Duty Military, Retired Military, or a U.S. Federal Government Worker in the DoD Health System; you may contact one of the following labs:

Auburn University           virology@vetmed.auburn.edu

KSU                                       rabies@vet.k-state.edu

MU Lab                                muvmdlrabies@missouri.edu
Diagnostic Section

For information regarding government owned animals or rabies testing.

Diagnostic Section
Forms and Documents
1. Forms and Documents
Quick Forms:
Field Technical Support Section (Food, Environmental, and Research)

For information regarding food or water testing

Field Technical Support

Foodborne Illness/Foreign materials/Customer Complaints

Check F.A.Q. , Check, TG361 in Forms/Documents , Contact Field Technical Support, or contact our Directorate

History of the DoD FADL

Based on Journal of the American Medical Association volumes for 1917 and 1918, and the Center of Military History's "Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the World War, the original medical laboratory founded at Fort Sam Houston, Texas was the "Southern Department Laboratory", which was established sometime in the latter part of 1917.

The Southern Department itself was established in 1913, as the successor to the Department of Texas. The continental United States, including Alaska, was divided into four departments: Eastern, Southern, Central and Western. The Philippines and Hawaii were each their own departments. Headquarters. The Southern Department, headquartered at Fort Sam Houston, was responsible for the border with Mexico from Brownsville to the Arizona-California border.

The Southern Department was responsible for the operations along the border in 1916 that involved virtually all of the mobile army in the continental US, plus the activated National Guard. This was, in effect, the Army’s dress rehearsal for World War I, and impetus for a lot of changes in the Army, 1916-17.

The Southern Department Laboratory was initially set up by Lieutenant John Stevens Simmons, Medical Corps Reserve, then led by Major Charles Atwood Kofoid, Sanitary Corps in 1918.

One of the first five veterinary officers to be trained specifically to perform laboratory duties was, Captain Hadleigh Marsh in 1918. The first head of the Veterinary section of the laboratory was Captain Hadleigh Marsh. Lieutenant Colonel Edward Bright Vedder, a Medical Corps officer was the director of the laboratory from 1919 until 1922.

1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Dr. Marsh as the Resident Veterinarian (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 1925 Surgeon General’s Report (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 1918 Surgeon General Report (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Following the first World War the Southern Department became the Eight Corps Area Laboratory and the laboratory may have been involved in the testing of water for outlying border stations and in a study of Malta Fever (brucellosis), involving the testing of goat milk and blood. Historical records are a little sketchy until 15 March 1941, when the laboratory was established as the Eight Service Command Medical Laboratory (SCML). Building records show that the original building may have been used as barracks between 1939 and 1951. It was turned back into a laboratory sometime in 1951.

4th Army Area Medical Laboratory ... — 1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 4th Army Area Medical Laboratory
Veterinary Department : 1940s

The initial pieces that were to become the FADL were born out of necessity to prepare for War.

Pictured here in the 1940s was home to some of our pioneering staff….the 4th Army Area Medical Laboratory
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Eight Service Command Medical Laboratory in Fort Sam Houston, Texas was the real parent of veterinary laboratory activities. The laboratory included a food analysis branch and a virus laboratory, both of which were supervised and operated by veterinary personnel. The food branch conducted chemical and bacterial analysis of foods. The virus laboratory provided support for investigations of diseases of veterinary interest, care of laboratory animals, and study of troop health aspects of diseases like typhus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, lymphogranuloma venereum, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, rabies, ornithosis, equine encephalomyelitis, and St. Louis encephalitis. A major portion of the workload was related to sanitary surveys of local milk supplies, which were being procured by the Army. Research studies were initiated with regard to mycological and bacteriological quality of egg products.

After World War II, the laboratory at Fort Sam Houston (FSH) became the Fourth Army Area Laboratory. This laboratory and its associated veterinary section enjoyed 54 years of continuous service with the veterinary laboratory support provided by the veterinary station hospital prior to the establishment of the Eight SCML.

In 1993, the laboratory was called "Regional Veterinary Laboratory", under the COL Byron Wilson as Director.

In 1994, the laboratory was known as the U.S. Army Veterinary Laboratory with LTC Gary Hanna as the Director.

The current facility was constructed with Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) funds; the construction was an addition to the original laboratory, which was 15,000 square feet. Construction started in July 1993 and was completed by August 1994.

The facility was officially known as the "DoD Army Veterinary Laboratory Facility" during its official opening ceremony on 27 April 1995. The Director at the time was LTC Ronald Roy.

1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The laboratory was responsible for microbiological, chemical, and radiological testing of food for safety and contractual compliance for the Department of Defense. In addition, the laboratory was also providing support for the Department of Defense zoonotic disease prevention and control programs.

In 1999, the laboratory was renamed to "VETCOM Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory", under COL Charles Pixley as the Director.

In 2008, the laboratory was renamed to its current name "DoD Veterinary Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory" under LTC Roger Parker as the Director.

In 2011, VETCOM was deactivated, then all Centers for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (CHPPM) and Regional Veterinary commands merged as Public Health Commands and the laboratory aligned under Public Health Command - South (now Public Health Command, West).

In 2012, the building underwent renovations, and the laboratory added the Cholinesterase mission.

In 2020, the DoD FADL joined the fight against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). The DoD FADL provided critical manpower to the BAMC Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory in support of SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing and asymptomatic screening of service members. The DOD FADL then supported ARNORTH units deployed to CONUS COVID-19 hot spots in New Orleans, Dallas, and Seattle via expedited sanitary audits.

The Department of Defense Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory (DOD FADL) has maintained a strong tradition in providing subject matter expertise, technical knowledge, and leadership to shape critical missions for the DoD preserving force readiness for over 80 years. The continuous history of veterinary laboratory service at FSH may be the longest of any Army veterinary activity.

DoD FADL Directorate

FADL Director

COL Matthew Wegner
FADL NCOIC

SFC Apryl Mitchell

FADL DIRECTOR

Phone: 210-295-4533

FADL NCOIC

Phone: 210-295-5012

FADL DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Phone: 210-295-4322

FADL DEPUTY DIRECTOR/WARRANT OFFICER - FIELD OPERATIONS

Phone: 210-295-4783

Quality Assurance

Vision statement: The Quality Assurance Section supports the force health protection through the systematic monitoring and evaluation of various tests on food, dairy, water, meat and meat products, human and animal serological and tissue samples, to ensure that standards of quality are being met.

Mission Statement: To sustain technical competence for Biological, Chemical, and Clinical scopes with excellence in laboratory quality management execution and performance. The scopes are within the recognized International Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017, ISO 15189:2022, DoD Clinical Laboratory Improvement Program (CLIP), the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), and AOAC INTERNATIONAL guidelines.

The Quality Assurance Section performs Quality Assurance and oversight of all DoD Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory’s (FADL) analytical testing. The QA section ensures the Quality Management System is properly developed and continuously maintained within the laboratory to promote improvement and provide the highest quality laboratory results possible. The laboratory is accredited by the A2LA for food analysis and diagnostic testing.

A list of QA responsibilities:

· Assist all the laboratory sections to ensure that high reliability test results are produced and released, and all projects are completed in accordance with ISO 17025: 2017 and ISO 15189: 2022/2012 requirements.

· Facilitate the interpretation and implementation of requirements by conducting scheduled internal quality assurance audits and inspections to observe and monitor the analytical testing and administrative management processes.

· Investigate non-conforming events/results, propose an immediate corrective action, and recommend quality enhancement or improve strategies.

· Lead the Root Cause Analyses for any issues documented in Corrective Action Reports.

· Evaluate the Proficiency Program for the laboratory testing sections.

· Maintain and improve a system of controlling and issuing all Standard Operating Procedures and laboratory forms.

Points of Contact:

Quality Assurance Chief: 210-295-4732; DSN: 421-4732
Quality Assurance Chemist: 210-295-3319 DSN: 421-3319
Quality Assurance Document Control Technician: 210-295-4332; DSN: 421-4332
Quality Assurance Technician: 210-295-4860; DSN 421-4860

Accredited Methods

The attached lists of tests are accredited through the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). Diagnostic accredited methods are listed in the Microbiological Scope. Other tests are available and not limited to the scopes.

American Association For Lab Accreditation Public Health Command DoD FADL Clinical Laboratory Improvement Program -CLIP

American Association For Laboratory Accreditation Public Health Command DoD FADL ISO 15159 - clinical

American Association for Lab Accreditation-DoD FADL Chemical Testing

American Association for Lab Accreditation-DoD FADL Biological Testing

Field Technical Support

Field Technical Support (FTS) provides guidance for food, water and environmental samples. FTS works closely with each customer to meet the individual needs for sample testing and reporting. FTS supports each FADL section by providing supply, sample/contract support and ensures all needs are met for sample testing. Additionally, USDA and CDC permits are maintained by FTS.

Points of Contact:
Supervisor: 210-295-4708
Alternate: 210-295-4210/5863/4208 DSN: 421-XXXX
Email: usarmy.jbsa.medcom-phc-w.mbx.phcw--fadl-food-protection@health.mil
REQUIRED PERMITS for sending samples from OCONUS to DoD FADL

Required permits for samples arriving from OCONUS, lab submission guide, request for veterinary laboratory testing and food sample record (DA Form 7539) and Chain of Custody form (DA Form 4137) can be found under DoD FADL Forms and Documents Field Technical Support (FTS Documents)

Microbiology

Performs pathogen screening and enumeration on food, water and environmental samples for programs throughout the DoD that include the Comprehensive Active Surveillance program (CASPr), Food Water Risk Assessments (FWRA), screening animal feed, bedding and water for Military research facilities, and sanitation audits to ensure vendor contract compliance. Performs pathogen screening and enumeration on suspected samples associated with food borne illness cases.

Points of Contact:
Supervisor: 210-295-4884; DSN: 421-4884

Team Leads: 210-295-4935/4735/4719 DSN: 421-4935/4719/4753

Related Information

Foodborne Illness Investigation (F.A.Q)

Microbiology section virtual tour (External Link)

Environmental Monitoring

For specific instructions on environmental sponge sample collection, review Technical Environmental Monitoring Using the Sponge-Stick Method, Technical Communication VHS Food TC 310 (CAC Required) (External Link)

Chemistry

Ensure food safety, food protection and contractual compliance through chemical analysis of food and bottled water. Provide substance testing for feed and bedding.

Routinely performs 23 methodologies with additional capabilities if needed.

Chemists and Physical Science Technicians utilize numerous sophisticated instruments and wet chemistry methods to support the mission.

DoD programs include:

Destination Monitoring, Initial Sanitation Audits, Veterinary Research.

Investigate various unknowns; in foods, beverages, medicines, etc. received through customer complaints and suspect food borne illnesses.; Probable identifications determined by chemical analysis and/or physical exam.

Capabilities:

Water – metals, pesticides, anions, cyanide, turbidity, pH, gross alpha and gross beta

Seafood – mercury, histamine, biogenic amines, chloramphenicol, metals

Dairy – phosphatase, acidity

Feed – fat, ash, moisture, crude fiber, protein

Bedding - metals

Meat – fat

Other – salt, water activity, O2/CO2 , Leak Test

Unknowns – foreign objects, food borne illness, customer complaints

Points of Contact:

Supervisor: 210-295-4254

DSN: 421-4254

Team Leads: 210-295-4157

DSN: 421-4157

Cholinesterase Reference Laboratory

The Cholinesterase Reference Laboratory [PDF - 346.1 KB] supports the DoD Chemical Surety Program:

Performs occupational health medical surveillance

Maintains the reference laboratory

Maintains the database repository

Mission: Ensure cholinesterase-testing standardization within the Department of Defense (DoD) Cholinesterase Monitoring Program which:

Ensures proper occupational health monitoring of personnel engaged in chemical agent stockpile and demilitarization operations
Provides technical guidance and expertise to several DOD entities as well as non-DOD federal agencies
Provides quality assurance oversight, comparative analysis, proficiency testing and on-site compliance inspections to six satellite laboratories engaged in Red Blood Cell Cholinesterase testing
Supports the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and several DOD facilities and contractors engaged in chemical agent defense research, with RBC-ChE analysis of their personnel

Location: Public Health Command, West / DoD Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory

Points of Contact:
OIC: 210-221-5669
Technical Supervisor and Cholinesterase Monitoring Program Coordinator: 210-295-4455

Diagnostic Section

The Diagnostic Laboratory performs immunodiagnostic and molecular testing for diseases of zoonotic and military significance in humans and animals. This testing includes Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) testing for government owned animals and pets of authorized DoD beneficiaries; Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT) for government personnel who have been vaccinated for rabies; and vector-borne surveillance testing on insects and arthropods.

For a complete and current offering please reference: Immuno-diagnostic and Molecular-diagnostic Test list [PDF - 83.7 KB]

Information on submission guidelines and testing forms can be found at: DoD FADL Forms and Documents (DoD Diagnostic Forms).

Who can request veterinary diagnostic testing for an animal?

Authorized Government providers can order a laboratory test for a DoD Government Owned Animal (GOA), Non-DoD GOA or a Privately Owned Animal (POA).

How do I order a Laboratory Test for an Animal?

When possible, tests should be ordered in the Veterinary Services System Management (VSSM). To order a test in VSSM, go to Tasks/Orders and select the blue hyperlink “Search All Labs” under the Labs tab. Enter FADL in the search bar and all available FADL laboratory tests will appear. Select the desired test and print out the requisition form directly from VSSM. This requisition form should be sent with the appropriate samples to the FADL. Forms can also be found on the FADL website.

Diagnostic Section Chief
Office: 210-295-6154; DSN: 421-6154
Email: Section Chief Email

Immunodiagnostic (including FAVN) Points of Contact:
Phone: 210-295-4387/4010/4605 (DSN: 421)
Alternate: 210-295-4920/4731
Fax: 210-635-1025
Email: Email Us

Molecular Diagnostic Points of Contact:
Primary: 210-221-3352; DSN: 471-3352
Alternate: 210-221-4960; DSN: 471-4960
Email: Section Chief Email

All forms can be found on the Forms and Documents page here

NOTE: The DoD FADL services active duty military/government CAC holding personnel, additionally we also provide services for military retirees with full military benefits. Please use I.C.E/Comment Card in the F.A.Q. or contact us via email if any of our forms, documents, links, or permits are expired, outdated, or malfunctioning.