National & World Ag News Headlines USDA Awards Funds to Improve Food Safety USAgNet - 10/03/2008 Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer this week announced $13.8 million awarded to support research, education and outreach for food safety. USDA awarded the grants in 19 states through the National Integrated Food Safety Initiative. Two Illinois institutions were included in the awards. "Most often, the prevention of food-borne illnesses comes through education and safe handling practices in the preparation of food," said Schafer. "Sound advice about food safety is based on good research to pinpoint potential pathways of contamination as well as effective solutions and safeguards." Each year, USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) awards National Integrated Food Safety Initiative (NIFSI) grant funds so that sound, practical, science-based knowledge can be shared among teachers, scientists, health professionals, researchers, farmers, food processors, food service workers and all who impact the safety of the U.S. food supply. NIFSI grant funds are frequently used to develop education and outreach programs for consumers. Researchers at Cornell University, for example, will receive $1,636,366 to investigate ways to reduce the risk of contamination of fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables in the fields, at harvest, and during transportation, display and purchase. Project descriptions can be found online at www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/food/pdfs/2008_competitive_projects.pdf. Fiscal Year 2008 NIFSI grants were awarded to the Illinois Institute of Technology in the amount of $590,942 and the University of Illinois - Chicago in the amount of $599,042. Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, CSREES focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov. Copyright © 2010 - USAgNet.com. All Rights Reserved.