The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded 17 grants totaling $10.4 million for university research projects designed to boost food safety.
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said the funds are being divided among universities in 13 states.
The University of Arizona is receiving a grant of just over $500,000.
Merrigan made the announcement during a visit to Michigan State University, a recipient of three grants. One of the studies there will look for better ways to prevent harmful pathogens from contaminating packages of ready-to-eat, fresh-cut produce.
The grants were made through the National Integrated Food Safety Initiative, which deals with food safety issues from the farm up to preparation.
The list of universities receiving grants from USDA for studies on how to improve food safety:
- Tuskegee University, AL, $100,000.
- University of Arizona, $542,969.
- Fort Valley State University, GA, $100,000.
- University of Georgia, $535,725.
- University of Massachusetts, $424,878.
- Michigan State University, three grants totaling $2,895,758.
- North Carolina State University, $541,621.
- Ohio State University, $1,864,665.
- Oklahoma State University, $543,000.
- Pennsylvania State University, $542,607.
- Clemson University, $542,999.
- Tennessee State University, $100,000.
- University of Tennessee, $542,977.
- Texas Tech University, $540,326.
- University of Wisconsin, $541,313.
Copyright 2011 KPHO. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
