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<OL> <LI> To develop technology for rapid identification of infectious agents and toxins. <LI> To develop a statistical framework necessary to evaluate the potential health risks.<LI> To determine the most effective intervention points to control microbiological or chemical hazards. <LI> To develop risk monitoring techniques to detect potential hazards in the distribution chain. <LI> To develop risk assessment and interdiction actions in hazard reduction and control. <LI> To develop technology to reduce the hazards and improve the quality of animal food products, which will complement the development of HACCP programs by USDA. <LI> To develop, complement and maintain an aggressive technology transfer system that effectively communicates the work of the Consortium to consumers, students, industry, government and other scientific investigations.
Non-Technical Summary: The primary focus of the work at Kansas State University continues to be methods development for the isolation, detection, and quantification of microbial and chemical hazards and the elimination of those hazards. However, that research has also resulted in significant information and technology transfer as well as risk assessment, economic, policy, and trade information and has laid the foundation for reaping additional insights in those areas. Furthermore, our food safety work has allowed us to address food security that may be a result of bioterrorism and/or natural disasters. Thus funding for the Consortium has fortunately prepared us to address and communicate solutions to the interdisciplinary challenges in today's world. Utilizing funding from other sources, courses and curricula have and are being developed by a consortium of universities. The Department of Homeland Security is one funding source. Consortium funding is being matched by more than 2 for 1 from other sources to address the interdisciplinary spectrum of research, teaching, and extension issues of food safety as well as food security <P> Approach: The Kansas State University Consortium Team continues the farm to table approach to address food safety challenges. That approach includes the continued development of methods for hazard detection; intervention strategies to control those hazards; information transfer of technologies to the scientific community, the federal government, the food industries, and consumers; and related economic, policy, and trade implications. Efforts to address those challenges have also helped the Consortium to be prepared to address food security issues that can be a result of bioterrorism and/or natural disasters.