What We Do
We provide scientific expertise and analytical detection of chemical and microbiological contaminants for the development and maintenance of regulatory policies regarding seafood in the context of product quality and public health issues.
We protect the U.S. seafood market, including the seafood industry and consumers, by providing analytical testing and other support for federal programs that ensure the safety of the American seafood supply.
We provide analytical testing and scientific expertise for seafood and bi-products export certification programs.
We develop new analytical methods and capabilities to:
Detect emerging seafood hazards and food safety concerns
Support fisheries management and seafood sustainability
Quality Assurance
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
NOAA’s National Seafood Inspection Laboratory conducts analytical procedures following our Laboratory Management Program that adheres to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards. This program has received accreditation to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 laboratory management requirements. The laboratory has been accredited by Perry Johnson Laboratory Accreditation Inc. (Certificate No.: L23-53) since October 2016. These requirements involve laboratory practices, as well as data analysis and reporting procedures that undergo multiple quality assurance procedures and reviews. Each staff member conducts analytical testing and laboratory quality assurance procedures determined to comply with the ISO 17025 standards and requirements.
Accreditation to the ISO 17025 laboratory management standards provides credibility and assurance to laboratory customers and clientele concerning analytical procedures, data, and reports.
Please contact us at for more information on testing capabilities or interest in collaborations.
The National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP)
The National Shellfish Sanitation Program is the cooperative program recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference for the sanitary control of bivalve molluscan shellfish produced and sold for human consumption.
We perform single lab validation and participate in collaborative analyses for multi-lab validations to provide current analytical methodologies for improved accuracy, efficiency, cost and safety.
Analytical Laboratory Services
Chemistry Services
The laboratory performs analytical tests on imported and domestic fishery products for the NOAA Fisheries Seafood Inspection Program. We test for total mercury, cadmium, selenium, bisulfites, histamines, and moisture. Other capabilities include chromatography and spectrophotometry instrumentation, such as LC/MS-MS, ICP-MS, GC, and UV-Vis.
Microbiological Services
The laboratory tests fishery by-products for several contaminants, including Salmonella and other indicator organisms.
As part of the Department of Commerce Aquatic Animal By-Products Inspection Program, we analyze samples collected by Seafood Inspection Program auditors.
To support the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference, we provide oyster testing for Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and the presence of tlh, tdh, and trh pathogen strains. This testing is required prior to reopening of growing areas closed as a result of illness.
More Information
Our Leadership
Jon Bell, Ph.D.
Division Chief
Dr. Bell has been director of the National Seafood Inspection Laboratory for more than 10 years. Prior to the laboratory, Dr. Bell was the Louisiana Sea Grant Seafood Specialist and Extension Professor in the LSU AgCenter Food Science Department. Under Dr. Bell’s directorship, the laboratory achieved 3rd-party recertification of its ISO 17025 Laboratory Management Program.
Patricia Rabideau
Branch Chief
Ms. Tricia Rabideau recently completed her fourth year as Supervisory Lead Analyst at the National Seafood Inspection Laboratory. She oversees analytical operations and a team of analysts. She brings over 25 years of clinical and environmental microbiology experience to her role, where she provides expertise in ISO/IEC 17025 and microbiology. Ms. Rabideau serves on the Technical Advisory Group to the International Organization for Standardization on Food Products and participates in Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference committees.