Projects get backing from Center for Produce Safety

24-Oct-2016 - Last updated on 25-Oct-2016 at 08:24 GMT

CPS has $3m available to fund food safety produce projects. Picture: iStock

The Center for Produce Safety (CPS) has requested proposals on food safety research with $3m available to fund projects.

The 2017 produce safety research objectives were identified with input from the produce industry, government and academic stakeholders.

Feedback from CPS Symposium participants and reviews of previously funded grants and research outcomes also formed part of the decision.

Drew McDonald, VP, quality, food safety and regulatory affairs at Church Brothers, said the mission for CPS is to provide and share ready-to-use, science-based solutions to prevent or minimize produce safety vulnerabilities.

“I expect that the outreach and interaction through discussions and on-farm visits with researchers who truly want to understand the realities of our processes and products will result in even better proposal alignment with our industry's needs,” said the chair for the CPS technical committee.

“As in previous years we are soliciting proposals to address near-term research needs including Listeria prevalence and persistence, FSMA Produce Rule-related metrics, co-management practices, and commodity-specific needs as well as longer-term fundamental research and novel solutions."

Concept proposals are due by 12:00 noon Pacific, December 7.

CPS earlier revealed 10 research awards valued at over $2m for projects directed at answering questions in practices for fruits and vegetables; pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest handling; and food safety and the environment.

The objective is to provide industry with practical, translatable research data that can be used at all levels of the supply chain, said the charitable organization.

Tim York, president, Markon Cooperative Inc, said CPS has a role to play in bringing industry, government and the scientific and academic communities together.

"The funding for this year's projects comes from a combination of contributions to CPS' Campaign for Produce Safety and state block-grant funds,” said the chair for the CPS Board of Directors.

“We recognize the responsibility CPS has to assure these funds are managed prudently to provide scientific tools that support fresh produce food safety programs for our customers and industry."

Work will begin at the start of next year. To date, CPS has funded 120 projects valued at over $20m.