Florida Succeeds in Pressuring FDA to Grant Shelf-Life Extension to COVID Tests

January 11, 2021 Updated 2:53 P.M. ET

TALLAHASSEE (FCV) – According to a letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 7, BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card tests have been given a shelf-life extension of 3 additional months, totaling 15 months. The stockpile of tests that Florida has will now expire in March.

“This is to notify you that your request to update the shelf-life expiration date of the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card to 15 months at room temperature,” the letter read.

The expiration date of tests is not controlled by the Florida government, but by the FDA in conjunction with the manufacturer.

Florida pushed for the tests to be extended. In April 2021, the tests were extended to December 2021.

According to the letter, the FDA’s response comes after a December 2021 request to extend the shelf-life. This runs contrary to left-wing narratives espoused by figures like Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) that the tests would be left to expire and not distributed to those in need.

In fact, according to the Florida Department of Health, the BinaxNOW tests at not at-home tests – they are for testing sites and require trained professionals for administration.

The Department is continuing to distribute testing kits to localities and care facilities that need them.