Food-borne Disease Models and Risk Analysis Unit

Professors-in-charge: Scott Hurd, D.V.M., Ph.D. and James McKean, D.V.M., Ph.D., J.D.

Food safety protection and farm-to-retail tracking has become increasingly important as domestic and international trade issues. This unit focuses on the development and application of epidemiological methods to model the ecology, transmission, intervention, and risk management of food-borne organisms, particularly in the pre- and peri-harvest areas. Included in these activities is the development of documentation mechanisms for reductions of food-borne organisms. Computer-based analytic and data management techniques are being developed to facilitate studies of the emergence, ecology, transmission and potential intervention steps associated with food-borne illnesses. Data collected from Center scientists, collaborators and world-wide literature is used to develop model assumptions and risk analyses. Model development assists in the investigation of complex interactions and predictability of intervention outcomes. Potential intervention strategies are assessed for scalability and effectiveness within the food production chain practices, and presented for pilot implementation and evaluation to industry collaborators. Components of the unit include:

• Evaluation of trace ability techniques for implementation from farm-to-retail
• Food-borne pathogens quantification and characterization which assist in development of predictive factors and control activities within the food chain
• Information transfer processes throughout the food chain to enhance consumer confidence and trade competitiveness for Iowa producers
• Development of deterministic and stochastic models for food-borne pathogens identification and control
• Development of innovative sampling processes to facilitate detection and prevalence evaluations for food safety pathogens
• Development of risk assessment and management strategies for emerging and existing food safety pathogens

Technology available: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), in silica modeling protocols, animal and product identification systems, on-farm and abattoir-based collaborations, and innovative process procurement experiences. Affiliated faculty and their areas of research/expertise are listed below.