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NIFA supports research, educational, and extension efforts in a wide range of scientific fields related to agricultural and behavioral sciences.

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    Second Annual Virtual Grants Support Technical Assistance Workshop
    Check out this five-day workshop in March 2024 workshop, designed to help you learn about NIFA grants and resources for grants development and management.

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    Food SafetySharePrint Friendly Email Twitter Facebook
    
    The Science of Food
      Advanced Food Manufacturing
          Food Products
          Food SafetySafeguarding the nation’s food supply requires that the food supply be regulated and monitored according to science-based principles. Ensuring food safety covers a broad range of processes, from on-farm production to processing, distribution, storage, selection , preparation and consumption. NIFA collaborates extensively with other government agencies, universities and colleges, and private-sector partners to safeguard the country’s food supply, prevent foodborne illnesses and educate all food handlers, including consumers.ResourcesPlease see how food safety fits into the USDA Strategic Plan.**Consumer Resources:**USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning**Food updates from FDA at Food | FDA:**Current advisory activity on combating antibiotic resistant bacteriaRecalls Public Health Alerts Food Safety and Inspection Service**Food Manufacturing Professional Resources:**Closer to Zero - Reducing infant and child exposure to toxic elements and promoting access to nutritious and safe foods**Researcher Resources:**USDA ERS - Food SafetyFood Safety Research Priorities & Studies Food Safety and Inspection ServiceNAREEE Advisory BoardFood Safety Topics National Agricultural LibraryFood Safety Research Information OfficeImportance of Food SafetyEach year, millions of Americans suffer — and thousands die — from foodborne illnesses. This is a preventable problem that is damaging to both individuals and the economy. Ongoing food safety improvements can yield economic and social benefits, in addition to reducing foodborne illnesses.A safer food supply, from farm to table, with minimal loss of productivityReduced burden on the country’s health care system through improved public healthReduced loss of income and health care costs for the affected individualEnhanced consumer confidence in the U.S. food supply leading to economic stability throughout the food sectorNIFA's ImpactNIFA’s food safety programs seek to reduce the incidence of foodborne illness, improving the safety of the food supply while maintaining a secure supply of healthy choices. NIFA supports efforts to:Reduce food hazards such as disease-causing microorganisms, toxins, allergens, and chemical and physical hazardsEducate small producers and processors, low-income families on food safety practicesDevelop food manufacturing and processing technologies to advance food safetyImprove the safety of meat, eggs and poultry, including fresh, frozen, shelf-stable and processed foods, especially fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetablesFind alternatives to the use of antimicrobial compounds in agricultureDevise mitigation strategies for antimicrobial resistance in agricultureTrain the next generation of scientists focused on improving food safetyKey NIFA Food Safety ProgramsFood Safety Outreach ProgramAgriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)A1332 Food Safety and DefenseA1366 Mitigating Antimicrobial Resistance Across the Food ChainA1712 Rapid Response to Extreme WeatherA1364 Novel Food sand Innovative Manufacturing TechnologiesA1343 Food and Human HealthA1181 Tactical Sciences for Agricultural BiosecurityA1511 NanotechnologyA1402 Plant MicrobiomeAFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS)AFRI Education and Workforce Development (EWD)Small Business Innovation Research - Food Science and Nutrition (SBIR 8.5)Other Relevant Food Safety ProgramsBeginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP)Specialty Crop Research InitiativeExpanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

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              AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program
              AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems
              Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)
              Animal & Plant Biosecurity
              Capacity Grants
              Equipment Grants Program (EGP)
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              Food Safety
              Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health Program Area
              Food Science and Technology Programs
              From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals (NextGen)
              Nanotechnology Program
              National Integrated Food Safety Initiative
              Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer Programs (SBIR/STTR)
              Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI)
              Urban, Indoor, and Emerging Agriculture

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    Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development
              Food Safety Outreach Program
              Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) (Joint NSF) Competitive Grants Program
              Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Regional Host Institution
              Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Sustainable Agricultural Systems
              Research Facilities Act Program Return to top
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