Research Triangle Park-based RTI International has been awarded a contract to help the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prioritize strategies for protecting the public from food-borne illnesses.
Under terms of a five-year contract expected to reach more than $5 million, RTI researchers will develop methods and databases for use by the FDA to rank risk-reduction strategies. The program specifically targets microbial and chemical hazards associated with eating fresh produce and shellfish.
"Recent disease outbreaks associated with contamination of green onions, lettuce, spinach, and tomatoes underscore the significant challenges facing the FDA," said Steve Beaulieu, RTI's program manager for the project. "Controlling contamination of these products requires the FDA to rigorously evaluate the food supply system beginning at the farm, continuing through the food production and distribution system, and finally to the table of U.S. consumers."
Amir Mokhtari, Ph.D., is the lead modeler for the project.