The fluorescent antibody (FA) method for detecting salmonellae in food and feed samples is now an official method of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. The need for a rapid screening method for detecting these pathogenic microorganisms in suspect products led to development of the FA method. A brief history of the development of the FA test, its evaluation by various investigators and its use by food laboratories are described in this report. Advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed with suggestions for improvement of the technique.