• As background, whole genome sequencing (WGS) essentially provides insight into the genetic fingerprint of a pathogen by sequencing the chemical building blocks that make up its DNA.  Since 2012, FDA has regularly turned to WGS to better understand foodborne pathogens, including identifying the nature and source of microbes that contaminate food and cause outbreaks of foodborne illness. For example, FDA reports that WGS was recently used to help match samples of soft cheese to the genetic fingerprint of Listeria monocytogenes involved in a deadly foodborne illness outbreak in early March 2017.
  • Two FDA officials leading the Agency’s WGS efforts in the food safety realm recently explained in a podcast that FDA laboratories are currently testing new genome sequencers that are said to be faster, cheaper and more mobile – with the potential to fit into a briefcase that could go out to the consumer safety officer and actually do field testing.  FDA is also working with global partners to advance this technology.
  • It remains to be seen the extent to which WGS may potentially revolutionize the way in which food regulatory bodies, including the FDA, achieve their enumerated food safety and public health goals.