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.
IAFP 2026
IAFNS Food Microbiology Committee and IAFNS Food Chemical Safety Committee are organizing the following three sessions at the International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting […]
Refining Dry Sanitation
Advancing Dry Sanitation Solutions Optimization of Novel Antimicrobial for Dry Cleaning and Sanitation for Low-Moisture Food Production Development and Validation of Novel Safer Sanitizing Solution […]
Development and Validation of an Evaporative, Low-Flammability, and Low-Moisture Antimicrobial Liquid for Dry Cleaning and Sanitization of Food Processing Equipment
Journal of Food Protection, 2026
Environmentally persistent organisms such as Salmonella spp. and Cronobacter spp. have caused several high-profile outbreaks associated with the consumption of low-moisture foods.
Simulation 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.
Root Cause Analysis, Corrective Action, Mitigation Strategies and Common Pitfalls
October 6, 2026 – October 7, 2026
Golden Valley, MN, USA
This two-day industry-focused conference explores practical, advanced approaches to Root Cause Analysis (RCA), corrective action, and risk mitigation in food safety systems.
Read more about Root Cause Analysis, Corrective Action, Mitigation Strategies and Common Pitfalls
IAFNS Food Microbiology Committee Research Roundtables 2026
September 3, 2026 – October 15, 2026
Virtual, Event
The food system is experiencing increasing challenges in ensuring food safety in food production. The roundtable includes a series of three conversations that will inform current and future work of the IAFNS Food Microbiology Committee.
Read more about IAFNS Food Microbiology Committee Research Roundtables 2026
IAFNS at IAFP 2026
July 26, 2026 – July 29, 2026
New Orleans, Louisiana
IAFNS Food Microbiology and Food Chemical Safety Committees are hosting sessions for the 2026 International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.
IAFNS at Advances in Food & Beverage Testing 2026
July 22, 2026 – July 23, 2026
Virtual, Event
IAFNS-supported research will be presented at the “Advances in Food & Beverage Testing 2026” conference sponsored by Technology Networks on a new solvent for cleaning dry food processing equipment.
Read more about IAFNS at Advances in Food & Beverage Testing 2026
Cleaning in Low-Moisture Food Facilities and Practical Applications of a Novel Dry Cleaning and Sanitation Agent
June 16, 2026
Virtual, Event
Dry or low-moisture foods, whether a pet’s kibble or a child’s snack, may feel safe, but they still retain the potential for serious microbial risks. This webinar included an overview of best practices for cleaning in low-moisture food production facilities as well as the application of a novel, evaporative, low-moisture, and antimicrobial liquid. IAFNS was pleased to collaborate with IAFP’s Food Hygiene and Sanitation PDG on this webinar.
- Caroline Smith DeWaal, JD, Center for Strategic and International Studies
- Constanza Vergara Escobar, BS, Chilean Undersecretariat of International Economic Relations (SUBREI)
- Deon Mahoney, MS, Adjunct the University of Queensland
- Matthew Stasiewicz, PhD, University of Illinois
- Rose Omari, PhD, Science and Technology Policy Research Institute, Ghana
- Tia Glave, BS, Catalyst Food Leaders
Co-organizers: Markus Lipp, PhD, FAO; Ariel Garsow, PhD, IAFNS
For more information about the IAFP 2026 Annual Meeting, click here.
[post_title] => IAFNS at IAFP 2026 [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => iafns-at-iafp-2026 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-07-23 09:51:41 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-07-23 13:51:41 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://iafns.org/?post_type=event&p=41810 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => event [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 42191 [post_author] => 291 [post_date] => 2026-04-09 14:55:39 [post_date_gmt] => 2026-04-09 18:55:39 [post_content] => [post_title] => IAFNS at Advances in Food & Beverage Testing 2026 [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => iafns-at-advances-in-food-beverage-testing-2026 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-05-18 17:44:28 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-05-18 21:44:28 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://iafns.org/?post_type=event&p=42191 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => event [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [4] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 42465 [post_author] => 291 [post_date] => 2026-05-07 16:31:46 [post_date_gmt] => 2026-05-07 20:31:46 [post_content] => [post_title] => Cleaning in Low-Moisture Food Facilities and Practical Applications of a Novel Dry Cleaning and Sanitation Agent [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => cleaning-in-low-moisture-food-facilities-and-practical-applications-of-a-novel-dry-cleaning-and-sanitation-agent [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-06-29 15:57:37 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-06-29 19:57:37 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://iafns.org/?post_type=event&p=42465 [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] => 42882 [post_author] => 291 [post_date] => 2026-06-15 10:31:41 [post_date_gmt] => 2026-06-15 14:31:41 [post_content] => [post_title] => Root Cause Analysis, Corrective Action, Mitigation Strategies and Common Pitfalls [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => root-cause-analysis-corrective-action-mitigation-strategies-and-common-pitfalls [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-06-15 16:38:11 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-06-15 20:38:11 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://iafns.org/?post_type=event&p=42882 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => event [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [comment_count] => 0 [current_comment] => -1 [found_posts] => 14 [max_num_pages] => 3 [max_num_comment_pages] => 0 [is_single] => [is_preview] => [is_page] => [is_archive] => 1 [is_date] => [is_year] => [is_month] => [is_day] => [is_time] => [is_author] => [is_category] => [is_tag] => 1 [is_tax] => [is_search] => [is_feed] => [is_comment_feed] => [is_trackback] => [is_home] => [is_privacy_policy] => [is_404] => [is_embed] => [is_paged] => [is_admin] => [is_attachment] => [is_singular] => [is_robots] => [is_favicon] => [is_posts_page] => [is_post_type_archive] => [query_vars_hash:WP_Query:private] => 1521d0ce55840c72a7efc813038417f7 [query_vars_changed:WP_Query:private] => [thumbnails_cached] => [allow_query_attachment_by_filename:protected] => [stopwords:WP_Query:private] => [compat_fields:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => query_vars_hash [1] => query_vars_changed ) [compat_methods:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => init_query_flags [1] => parse_tax_query ) [query_cache_key:WP_Query:private] => wp_query:a1f450a9a52da8520e9ed08ec49ba2bd )
