The objectives of this cooperative research project between the Food Safety Engineering Program at Purdue University and USDA-ARS at Wyndmoor, PA, is to develop new knowledge, technologies and systems for detection and prevention of chemical and microbial contamination of foods.
APPROACH: Our approach is to develop rapid and affordable technologies for detection of harmful levels of biological and chemical food contaminants; to establish better methods of food sample preparation and contaminant separation procedures that can be used with different detection based technology platforms; to use detection systems, sample preparation and contaminant separations techniques to evaluate the efficacy of novel means of food protection; and to provide education, training, and technology transfer necessary for national implementation of these research programs.