The IAFNS Food Microbiology Committee mobilizes members from government, industry and academia to drive, fund and lead actionable science.
Through its tripartite model—bringing together scientists from government, academia and industry—the Food Microbiology Committee funds external researchers and convenes experts to enhance the safety of our global food supply.
The Committee on Food Microbiology is committed to proactively improving the understanding and control of microbial food safety hazards to enable scientifically informed decision making.
The Food Microbiology Committee promotes a science-based determination of the risks posed by microbial pathogens in foods to support the advancement of public health.
For example, our work advances strategies for dry sanitation of food production lines where moist cleaners would promote pathogen growth.
The Committee catalyzes science, promotes cross-sector dialgoue and mobilizes knowledge. We fund and promote novel, rigorous research approaches to microbiological risks that leverage both science and best practices for better outcomes.
We also hold research roundtable discussions with multiple federal and international agencies to identify emerging food microbiology research needs considered critical to public health.
The IAFNS Food Microbiology Committee drives progress in microbial food safety by supporting applied research that advances the understanding and control of microbial food safety hazards. By identifying research priorities and funding scientists to address them, the committee generates practical insights that strengthen food safety practices and protect public health.
IAFNS identifies research priorities through a collaborative process that engages experts across sectors. Through the Food Microbiology Research Roundtable, IAFNS brings together leaders from government, industry, and academia to identify emerging and persistent food safety challenges and to shape a research agenda that drives practical, science-based solutions.
The IAFNS Food Microbiology Committee advances science to strengthen real-world food safety practices. Through its partnership with the International Association for Food Protection, the committee sponsors sessions, workshops, and symposia on emerging topics such as cleaning and sanitation. IAFNS also amplifies scientific insights through quarterly op-eds on current food safety issues including raw foods, cutting boards, and food recalls helping translate research into practical outcomes that protect public health.Enhancing Safety for Low-Moisture Foods
IAFNS provides researchers with tools to compare pathogen data. Housed at Cornell University, the Reference Strain Collection includes strain set and subtyping data from the committee’s Cronobacter sakazakii projects. Strain sets of Salmonella resulting from our low-moisture efforts are also included. Isolates are available for a minimal charge to investigators around the world. This unique resource provides investigators with a standard set of isolates to improve rigorous comparison of research results.
Development of Nonpolar Liquid Antimicrobial Delivery Systems for Dry Sanitation
Dry Sanitation Innovation Innovative Dry Sanitation Solutions for Low-Moisture Food Production The Importance of Sanitation in Food Processing Facilities A sanitation program is a key […]
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Simulating Powdered Product Sampling to Improve Food Safety Sampling Plans
Food Contamination Modeling Modeling Low-Level Contamination Detection in Powdered Foods The Importance of Accurate Conclusions in Food Safety Testing Drawing accurate conclusions about whether an […]
Read MoreSimulation Evaluation of Power of Sampling Plans to Detect Cronobacter in Powdered Infant Formula Production
Journal of Food Protection, 2023
Sampling powdered infant formulas with stratification is potentially more powerful than random sampling. Taking more samples, even if smaller, increases the power to detect contamination.
Induction of the Viable-but-Nonculturable State in Salmonella Contaminating Dried Fruit
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2022
Salmonella is a leading foodborne pathogen globally causing numerous outbreaks of foodborne illnesses and remains the leading contributor to deaths attributed to foodborne disease in the United States and other industrialized nations. Therefore, efficient detection methods for Salmonella contaminating food are critical for public health and food safety. Culture-based microbiological methods are considered the gold standard for the detection and enumeration of Salmonella in food. Findings from this study suggest that unique stressors on dried fruit can induce the VBNC state in Salmonella, thus rendering it undetectable with culture-based methods even though the bacteria remain viable.
Microbial Contamination in Environmental Waters of Rural and Agriculturally-Dominated Landscapes Following Hurricane Florence
ACS ES&T Water, 2021
An evaluation of microbial contaminants in surface waters at 40 sites across Eastern North Carolina before and after a hurricane.
Evaluation of the Impact of Skewness, Clustering, and Probe Sampling Plan on Aflatoxin Detection in Corn
Risk Analysis, 2021
Probe sampling plans for aflatoxin in corn attempt to reliably estimate concentrations in bulk corn given complications like skewed contamination distribution and hotspots. To evaluate and improve sampling plans, multiple sampling strategies were assessed by Monte Carlo simulation.
Survival and Inactivation by Advanced Oxidative Process of Foodborne Viruses in Model Low-Moisture Foods
Food and Environmental Virology, 2021
Low-moisture foods (LMFs) are generally considered as ready-to-eat products, which undergo no or minimal pathogen reduction steps. However, numerous foodborne viral outbreaks associated with LMFs have been reported in recent years. The objective of this study was to examine the survival of foodborne viruses in LMFs and to evaluate the efficacy of advanced oxidative process treatment in the inactivation of these viruses.
IAFNS at Food Safety Consortium Conference
October 19, 2025 – October 21, 2025
Arlington VA, United States
IAFNS presented on low-moisture foods at the 2025 Food Safety Consortium Conference from October 19-21. The 2025 event focused on the convergence of policy, science, and best practices.
IAFP 2025
July 27, 2025 – July 30, 2025
Cleveland, OH
The IAFNS Food Microbiology Committee and Food Chemical Safety Committee presented at the International Association for Food Protection 2025.
Innovations in Cleaning and Sanitation for Low-Moisture Foods
April 29, 2025 – April 30, 2025
Arden Hill, MN
Join us for this joint conference on cleaning and sanitation for low-moisture foods sponsored by IAFNS, IFSH and the Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison Food Research Institute.
Read more about Innovations in Cleaning and Sanitation for Low-Moisture Foods
IAFNS Food Microbiology Research Roundtable
September 11, 2024
Washington, DC
The IAFNS Food Microbiology Committee hosting a Food Microbiology Research Roundtable to identify research gaps in microbial food safety.
IAFNS at IAFP 2024
July 14, 2024 – July 17, 2024
Long Beach, CA, USA
The IAFP 2024 Annual Meeting featured three sessions by the IAFNS Food Microbiology and Food Chemical Safety Committees.
- Jasna Kovac, Penn State University
- Stephanie Smith, Washington State University
- Kristin Schill, UW-Madison
Monday, July 28 from 3:45-5:15PM
Speakers:
- Abby Snyder, Cornell University
- Martin Wiedmann, Cornell University
The IAFNS Food & Chemical Safety Committee presented:
Myth Busting - Safety of Food Additives and Ingredients ExpandMonday, July 28 from 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Speakers:
- Myths and Realities of Food Ingredient Safety, Dr. Craig Llewellyn - Principal Scientist, Exponent.
- Challenges & Approaches for Ensuring Safety of Existing Food Ingredients & Constituents, Dr. Norbert Kaminski - Michigan State University.
- Association versus Causation, Myths and Realities, Dr. Dominik Alexander - President and Principal Epidemiologist, MetaMethod.
IAFNS is also participating in the following roundtable discussion:
Trusted Data Sharing: Collective Learning for Food Safety Insights ExpandTuesday, July 29 from 1:30-3:00PM
Panelists include:
- De Ann Davis, Western Growers
- Shelby Hollenbeck, FMI
- Martin Hahn, Hogan Lovells
- Cronan McNamara, Creme Global
- Wendelyn Jones, IAFNS
For more information on the IAFP 2025 Annual Meeting, click here
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The Food Microbiology Committee is presenting:
Roundtable on Establishing Clean Breaks- Hygienic Separation of Production in Low Water Activity Foods ExpandMonday, July 15th from 1:30 - 3:00 PM PT
Speakers:
• Ben Warren, FDA
• Jeremy Travis, Hilmar Cheese
• David Clifford, Nestle
• John Holah, Pendennis Food Hygiene
• Dan Belina, Land O' Lakes
• Mistelle Signor, Mennel Milling
Symposium on Dry Cleaning and Sanitation in Dry, Low Moisture Environments ExpandTuesday, July 16th from 10:45AM- 12:15PM PT
Speakers:
• Lynne McLandsborough, UMass Amherst
• Alexis Hamilton, Virginia Tech
• Deb Smith, Vikan
The Food Chemical Safety Committee is presenting:
Symposium on Grounding the Discussion on Toxic Elements in Food: Updates from Production to Regulation ExpandMonday, July 15, 2024, from 3:45 - 5:15 PM PT
Speakers:
• Angelia Seyfferth, University of Delaware on "Mitigating Toxic Elements in Food Crops: Perspectives and Realities"
• Emily Moyer, IFPA on "Toxic Element Management Through a Growers Lens"
• Eileen Abt, FDA on "Regulatory Update on FDA's Closer to Zero Initiative"
For more information on the IAFP 2024 Annual Meeting, click here.
[post_title] => IAFNS at IAFP 2024 [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => international-association-for-food-protection-annual-meeting-iafns-presentations [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-07-19 09:56:41 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-07-19 13:56:41 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://iafns.org/?post_type=event&p=34677 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => event [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 5 [current_post] => -1 [before_loop] => [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 39314 [post_author] => 291 [post_date] => 2025-09-22 10:06:26 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-09-22 14:06:26 [post_content] =>The 2025 Food Safety Consortium event will focus on the convergence of policy, science, and best practices. With the conference being held near Washington, D.C., this year will place a renewed emphasis on policy discussions, reflecting the growing need to address regulatory and legislative issues. The program will also prioritize the sharing of best practices, offering attendees the chance to learn from one another and engage in collaborative problem-solving.
IAFNS will be presenting a talk:
From Kibble to Crackers: Cross-Learning on Pathogens in Low-Moisture Foods ExpandMonday, Oct. 20 from 11:15 a.m - 12:15 p.m. ET. The presentation will be given during the session: "Dry Doesn't Mean Safe: Pathogens in Low Moisture Foods."
For more information on registering for the Food Safety Consortium Conference, click here.
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