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IFS@CU

Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University

Cultivating Food Safety Knowledge

The Institute for Food Safety (IFS@CU) supports the production of safe and novel foods that increase the economic viability and sustainability of the food industry in NYS and beyond. With expertise in fresh produce, dairy, juice, and food processing, the IFS@CU helps the food industry meet federal regulatory requirements in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and address food safety challenges that stretch from farms to consumers’ tables. Through research and extension collaborations, as well as by embracing new technologies, the program actively works with farmers, processors, retailers, and consumers to produce and keep food safe.

For Assistance or Questions Contact:

foodsafety [at] cornell.edu (foodsafety[at]cornell[dot]edu)

IFS@CU logo
Workers on a food production floor with text "GMPs" overlayed

Good Manufacturing Practices Trainings

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Meeting Regulatory Requirements

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Food Industry Virtual Office Hours

Course Announcement

2022 FDA Food Code

New Course: Register Now!

Understanding Required Competencies for the 2022 Food Code is a training designed to provide the foundational knowledge from the newest edition of the Food Code, including 18 knowledge-based competencies that food establishment employees must demonstrate understanding of to ensure the safety of food sold in retail and food service operations.

Course Announcement

Food Microbiology Fundamentals

New Course: Register Now!

Food Microbiology Fundamentals gives a foundational understanding of roles that different microorganisms play in food safety and quality; microbial growth and life cycles; and testing, monitoring and prevention of foodborne pathogens.

Food Science Extension

2025 Annual Report

Find out how Cornell Food Science Extension Programs supported food and agricultural businesses in 2025 by developing supportive relationships, providing a foundation of food safety knowledge, and promoting skill development.

Food Science Extension

2026 Course Catalog

The 2026 Course Catalog is a comprehensive handbook and directory that provides program descriptions, faculty and extension staff contact information, courses being offered this year, and information on how to register for courses.

Course Announcement

Cannabinoid Hemp Processing

NYS Regulations for Cannabinoid Hemp (Cannabis sativa) Processors

This course provides an overview of cannabinoid hemp as well as federal and New York State-specific regulatory requirements for cannabinoid hemp processors.

Course Announcement

GMPs for Dietary Supplements

Good Manufacturing Practices Part 111 for Dietary Supplements

This course is designed to review the requirements of Part 111 – Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements in Title 21 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Course Announcement

Small Food Processors Training

Food Safety and FSMA Regulations for Small Food Processors

This course launched in partnership with the Cornell Food Venture Center, is designed to give an overview of the state and federal regulatory framework in the United States for packaged food manufacturers.

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Stack of Petri dishes in a lab
2025 Annual Report
2026 Cornell Food Science Extension Programs Course Catalog cover
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Food Safety News

Fresh cranberry juice

News

New filtration method preserves nutrients in juice concentrate
When a bottle of juice says “not from concentrate,” it generally means that it contains more nutrients and tastes better than juice from concentrate. Conventional concentrating processes require heat that destroys nutritious molecules like...
  • Cornell AgriTech
  • Cornell Food Venture Center
  • Food Science
Extension support specialist Cynthia James leads a cooking demonstration

News

Cornell training program aims to boost NYS food entrepreneurship

A new Cornell-led training program aims to provide New York food educators and producers with the skills and equipment they need to boost compliance with modern food safety standards and foster the development of innovative food products.

  • Cornell AgriTech
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • Cornell Food Venture Center
Doctoral student Peter Gracey works in the Leslie J. Herzog ’77 and Jacqueline Beckley Food Innovation Lab.

News

Turning apple waste into profit and protein

Mmm, what's in these meatballs? A secret ingredient that would improve human health as well as apple producers' bottom line.

  • Cornell Food Venture Center
  • Food Science
  • Food
Cornell Food Venture Center Pilot Plant

News

$10M gift from Seneca Foods will support the Cornell Food Venture Center

The gift from the Seneca Foods Foundation will help food producers of all sizes bring their products to market.

  • Cornell AgriTech
  • Cornell Food Venture Center
  • Food Science
image of julie suarez

News

Julie Suarez named CALS director of translational research programs
Julie Suarez has been named the inaugural director of translational research programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Suarez will remain CALS’ associate dean for land-grant affairs while she fulfills the five-year...
  • Center of Excellence in Food and Agriculture
  • Institute for Food Safety
  • Cornell Integrated Pest Management

Upcoming Events

jar of pickles

Class

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Virtual Better Process Control School - Acidified Foods
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Register for our next class October 26 - 27, 2026 This course covers the training requirements for facilities manufacturing shelf stable foods using Mild Thermal Processes, such as acidified foods and Water Activity Controlled Foods. Upcoming...
  • Food Science
  • Cornell AgriTech
  • Cornell Food Venture Center
Bottled Juice

Workshop

Juice HACCP Certification Course November 5, 2026
Juice HACCP commonly refers to the use of HACCP plans to minimize food safety risks in the juice processing, packaging, and transportation industries. HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point. Significant hazards for a particular...
  • Food Science
  • Cornell AgriTech
  • Institute for Food Safety
Sea Moss Gel

Webinar

Sea Moss Gel: What Research and Social Media Tells us about Food Safety
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 @ 12:00pm (ET) Sea moss gel is increasingly popular, but what do we actually know about its food safety? This webinar brings together Cornell research on commercially available sea moss products, sea moss gel storage...
  • Institute for Food Safety

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IFS@CU Fact Sheets

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