University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Food Safety

Working to make food safer
For decades, the UGA Center for Food Safety has been one of the nation's leading research centers and an international leader for food safety and food microbiology research. The center's state-of-the-art facilities enable faculty to conduct cutting-edge research in food safety that benefits the food industry, government agencies and consumers. Scientists pursue scientific research that contributes valuable information to the food industry for solving problems related to foodborne pathogens, which in turn provides consumers with wholesome foods that have minimal risk to human health.
See Related Impact Statements
Bioactive food components for human health. (2018) Quasi-metagenomics and realtime sequencing aided detection and subtyping of Salmonella enterica from food samples (2018) Methods Evaluation for Reduction of Foodborne Pathogens in Biofilm and RTE Meat (2017) Salmonella's Tolerance to Desiccation and Thermal Resistance under Dry Conditions (2017)
Quicker Identification
UGA scientist creates system to detect food pathogens in hours, not days
Quick, efficient pathogen detection and fingerprinting is essential and often lifesaving when it comes to preventing foodborne illness. University of Georgia food scientist Xiangyu Deng has created a system that can identify foodborne pathogens much quicker than traditional methods.

Food Safety Research News

Researchers at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences have recently found the genetic mechanism that controls the shape of tomatoes also controls the shape of potatoes and may control the shape of other fruits as well. CAES News
Researchers at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences have recently found the genetic mechanism that controls the shape of tomatoes also controls the shape of potatoes and may control the shape of other fruits as well.
Center for Produce Safety funds UGA food science produce safety research
Three University of Georgia food scientists are among the recipients of grants awarded by the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) as part of its $2.7 million program. The grants will fund projects focused on food safety issues related to fruits and vegetables. 
Georgia Farm Bureau President Gerald Long (center) announced the recipients of the GFB Harvest 20 Research Grants at the GFB Commodity Conference on Aug. 8. University of Georgia faculty who were awarded grants are (l-r) Lawton Stewart, Govindaraj Dev Kumar, Angelita Acebes, Sudeep Bag, Jonathan Oliver and (not pictured) Bhabesh Dutta and Mark Freeman. CAES News
Georgia Farm Bureau President Gerald Long (center) announced the recipients of the GFB Harvest 20 Research Grants at the GFB Commodity Conference on Aug. 8. University of Georgia faculty who were awarded grants are (l-r) Lawton Stewart, Govindaraj Dev Kumar, Angelita Acebes, Sudeep Bag, Jonathan Oliver and (not pictured) Bhabesh Dutta and Mark Freeman.
Georgia Farm Bureau awards $94,000 in grants to UGA scientists
The Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) has awarded $94,000 in research grants to seven University of Georgia scientists and their research teams who are addressing production issues impacting Georgia farmers.
University of Georgia Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus Larry Beuchat (right) and UGA Professor Francisco Diez were recognized by the International Association for Food Protection at the association’s annual meeting held July 21–24, 2019, in Louisville, Kentucky. CAES News
University of Georgia Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus Larry Beuchat (right) and UGA Professor Francisco Diez were recognized by the International Association for Food Protection at the association’s annual meeting held July 21–24, 2019, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Beuchat, Diez honored by International Association for Food Protection
Two University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences food scientists have been presented awards of excellence from the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP). Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus Larry Beuchat and Professor Francisco Diez were recognized at the association’s annual meeting held July 21–24 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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The UGA Center for Food Safety in Griffin, Ga. was established in 1993 with a mission of maintaining and improving the safety of foods through the development of methods that detect, control or eliminate pathogenic microorganisms or their toxins.

UGA Center for Food Safety