An official website of the United States government.
<OL> <LI> Advancing the fundamental science and application of technologies to ensure safety and improve quality of food products <BR> 1a. Utilize innovative methods to characterize food materials <BR> 1b. Develop new and improved processing technologies <BR> 1c. Develop mathematical models to enhance understanding of, and, optimize food processes <LI> Develop pedagogical methodologies for improved learning of food engineering principles <LI> Develop outreach programs to disseminate best practices for enhancing food safety and quality to stakeholders
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: ISSUES. With an increasing demand by consumers for fresh-like, healthy, nutritious and safe food, the US food processing industry is continually challenged. Furthermore, emerging pathogenic microorganisms, tolerant to conventional treatment methods, create a demand for improved and novel food processes. The industry must constantly redefine technology to assure wholesomeness in processed foods. Thus, new and existing technologies must meet the challenge and play a pivotal role in improving the quality of value-added food products. Without extensive research, it would be difficult for the industry to meet these demands. To effectively compete in the global markets, the US food industry requires ready access to the scientific knowledge, well prepared personnel with appropriate skills, and a continuous dialog between academic researchers and industry practitioners. Collaborations among engineers, food scientists and other experts across the nation can effectively address these needs of the industry by advancing technologies through research, preparing our future work force through educating the students, and bridging the gap between research and implementation through outreach. The stakeholders impacted by this project will include the food industry, federal regulatory agencies, and consumers. NC-1023 MISSION. The mission of this multistate project is to advance technologies for the purpose of improving food safety, quality and security. This will be accomplished by virtue of collaboration and synergy among participating experiment stations and disciplines. The research outcomes of this project will be used to enhance education and outreach programs for stakeholders.
<P>
APPROACH: The objectives 1, 2 and 3 are interlinked and connected to achieve the mission of the project. The project will be carried out to address all these objectives simultaneously with the research outcomes from the last project period (05-09) and will build on the interconnected network through ad-hoc committees on projects of shared interest between experimental stations.