By
DARCY WELLS
They have been quietly analyzing thousands of human and animal food samples for
years in a lab tucked away on the state office campus in Albany.
More recently, food chemists who work at the New York State Department of
Agriculture and Markets Food Laboratory have been fielding requests for
interviews and photographs from the media as a result of the contaminated pet
food investigation that has pet owners on edge.
“We are involved in the Menu Foods pet food recall which is related to the
deaths of at least 16 cats,” said assistant director of the lab Debra Oglesby.
But that’s only one of several high profile investigations the food lab has been
involved with in recent years.
“Our microbiology section played a role in the investigation of two multi-state
E. coli outbreaks,” said senior food bacteriologist Brian Sauders.
“We tested samples for the E. coli outbreak associated with spinach and lettuce
last fall and more recently investigated the salmonella infection related to
peanut butter,” Sauders said.
Staying focused
The food lab employees, who are PEF Division 275 members, remain focused on
their work even while under the microscope themselves as the location of the lab
hangs in the balance.
Included in the state budget is a reappropriation of $40 million for a new lab,
but there’s been no decision on where the lab will be located.
“The funding for a new lab was originally approved under the Pataki
administration,” said PEF Legislative Director Brian Curran.
“A location for the new lab was not specified in the budget, but Gov. Pataki had
said the lab would be built 200 miles away in Geneva,” Curran said.
Location critical
The food lab scientists have been fighting to keep the lab in Albany.
“Our location is critical to the timely receipt of food samples,” Sauders said.
“Albany is centrally located between the western areas of the state, where we
receive many of our dairy samples, and New York City, where a large number of
other samples come from.
“It’s also minutes from Albany International Airport and major shipping carrier
hubs,” Sauders added.
“We have many talented, dedicated scientists working every day ensuring the
safety and integrity of our food supply,” Oglesby said.
“Faced with the threat of a relocation, three employees have left for other
jobs.
“Any further loss of experienced personnel would be devastating to the labs’
programs,” Oglesby said.
Spitzer’s decision
Their fate now lies in the hands of Gov. Spitzer.
“The governor knows our position,” said PEF President, Ken Brynien.
“I can’t imagine why he would put the safety of our food supply in jeopardy by
moving the lab out of Albany.
“We remain confident the governor will make the right choice and allow the lab
to flourish in the state capital, where it belongs,” Brynien said.
The
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