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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 investigators.
Non-Technical Summary: The Kansas State University Consortium Team continues to take 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, and information transfer of technologies to the scientific community, the federal government, the food industries, and consumers; and the integration of related economic, policy, and trade implications. 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. This approach helps address food security as well as food safety. Research information will continue to be incorporated into on-campus courses as well as distance education courses. <P> Approach: Technology development for rapid and automated isolation, detection, identification, and quantification of infectious agents and toxins continues to be an area of emphasis. By determining the most effective intervention points to control microbiological and chemical hazards, as well the overall strategies to control those hazards, the statistical framework to evaluate the potential health risks can be enhanced. Continuing to build on these efforts will result in the development of risk monitoring techniques to assess potential hazards from production through distribution. Once the risk has been detected the appropriate continued actions will be taken to reduce and control the hazard. The reduction and control strategies will involve previously researched intervention technologies. Where needed, other interventions strategies will be developed and validated. Once technologies and strategies are validated as effective, technology and information transfer efforts will be implemented. In fact, Consortium scientists work closely with industry, government, and consumer groups to insure timely technology transfer. That information is and will continue to be incorporated into on-campus courses as well as distance education courses delivered off-campus and will include economic, policy, and trade implications.