Research Opportunities Under the Food Safety Initiative
Arthur J. Miller, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, Washington, DC 20204
The Food Safety Initiative (FSI) offers new and novel research funding opportunities within FDA. While laboratory based research on microbial pathogens serves as the keystone to the program, mixing laboratory and field studies to better address regulatory research and risk assessment needs is encouraged. The current intramural portfolio includes 22 projects supporting the 1997 National Food Safety Initiative and the Produce and Imported Food Safety Initiative. This is strengthened by collaborations with the National Center for Food Safety & Technology and the Joint Institute for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition. A purchasing program has funded over $1million in new equipment to date, and will continue. In FY2000, an intramural competitive post doctoral program will be initiated. Collaboration with ORA is fostered by funding 4 new ORA research positions, and by continuing a research exchange program, to promote technology transfer. Extramural activities include a research and risk assessment competitive grant program, and HACCP implementation research on unpasteurized apple cider and orange juice, and seed sprouts. Together these programs contribute to the science based development and implementation of regulatory activities, and to rapid responses in emergency situations.