 The U.S. and international food system is so complex that any effort to understand its multiple dimensions must draw on multiple academic disciplines. By integrating insights from multiple disciplines, researchers can better describe problems and prescribe solutions in this system. K-State’s Food Safety and Security program pursues excellence in such interdisciplinary scholarship. By highlighting research from the fields of microbiology, sociology, economics, et cetera—indeed, the list does and should go on—universities can paint truer pictures of today’s food safety and food security problems and solutions. In 2001, K-State formed the Food Science Institute to facilitate initiatives across five colleges and 11 departments. Food Safety and Security is one of the major program areas of the Food Science Institute. Owing to the Institute’s unique interdepartmental and interdisciplinary mission, the Food Safety and Security program has thrived in this environment.
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Reducing Foodborne Illness |
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The International Food Safety Network (iFSN) at Kansas State University is a group of individuals passionately committed to reducing the incidence of foodborne illness. Daily iFSN news listservs provide comprehensive and current food safety news, and underpin the numerous iFSN research, extension and educational activities. iFSN researchers engage in public discussion, and develop and evaluate the use of new messages and media to compel individuals from farm-to-fork to practice safe food behaviors and help create a culture that values microbiologically safe food. For more information, click here. |
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Microbial, Chemical, and Trade Policy Research |
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Along with the Universities of Arkansas and Iowa State, Kansas State University is a member of the USDA-funded Food Safety Consortium. As a Consortium member, K-State emphasizes research in microbial food safety, chemical food safety, as well as the areas of food safety, food security, and trade policy. For an overview of the research areas, click here; for a full list of K-State's Food Safety Consortium projects, click here. |
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