2019 Food & Beverage Safety & Innovation

The Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University (IFS@CU) takes a comprehensive approach to providing training and conducting applied research to support the food industry in reducing foodborne illness risks. With expertise in fresh produce, dairy, juice and food processing, the IFS@CU aids the food industry in complying with federal regulatory requirements in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and addresses food safety challenges that stretch from farms to consumers’ tables.

Cornell Food Venture Center (CFVC) provides comprehensive assistance to new and established food entrepreneurs, processors and farmers to enhance food safety, satisfy regulatory compliance and promote economic development. Services include scheduled process and process review validation for processed foods, laboratory services and consultation for product safety and stability, reduced oxygen packaging hazard analysis and validation, heat penetration studies, food classification letters and training. The CFVC Pilot Plant assists entrepreneurs, small business owners and established food companies with product development and process scale-up efforts in a newly renovated facility with state-of-the-art technology and equipment.

• Data below represents clients and products assisted in 2019.

The Cornell Craft Beverage Institute (CCBI) provides resources to help growers, winemakers, craft brewers and distillers with important decisions, from site selection and businesses planning to beverage production. New York state is home to a flourishing and diverse craft beverage industry that encompasses over 450 wineries, 400 breweries, 120 distilleries and 50 hard cideries. CCBI has played a central role in the industry's development by providing resources, education and services. CCBI specializes in the analyzing industry samples, processing samples for research and educating and training craft beverage professionals to excel at every level of their business.

• Data below represents clients and products assisted in 2019.

The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) provides fundamental, science-based, on-farm food safety knowledge to fruit and vegetable growers, packers, educators, regulatory personnel and others interested in the safety of fresh produce. 

• Data represents training activities conducted by the PSA team, along with their national and international cadre of trainers, as a cumulative total since September 2016.