Research News
Center for Food Safety Fills Gaps in Research on Hand Sanitizers
Hand sanitizers became ubiquitous during the COVID-19 pandemic, but scientists are still finding answers to questions about their efficacy. While hand sanitizers are considered a reliable alternative to soap and water when hands are not visibly dirty or greasy…
Arkansas Food Safety Scientists Share Latest Research on Noroviruses, Sanitizers, AI
Researchers with the Arkansas Center for Food Safety have made strides in studying human noroviruses in zebrafish that may help slow the spread of the leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide.
USDA S1077 Multi-State Annual Meeting
The S1077 Multistate Project Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, October 1-2, 2025, at the University of Arkansas campus in beautiful Northwest Arkansas.
Hot Water Best for Sanitizing In-Shell Pecans, Sanitizers Prevent Cross-Contamination
Before those sweet and savory pecans make their way into your pecan pie or other holiday treat, they may go through an antimicrobial wash to reduce pathogens. But why would that be needed? “In‐shell pecans are typically harvested after falling from trees to the ground…
USDA-NIFA Grant Aims to Bring More Job Possibilities for Neurodivergent Individuals
With the help of a nearly $500,000 grant, Arkansas food safety expert Kristen Gibson is working to increase job opportunities for neurodivergent individuals. Gibson, a professor of food safety and microbiology and director of the Arkansas Center for Food Safety…
Silent Spoiler: Listeria Outbreak Raises Food Safety Concerns
From deli counters to dinner tables, food safety relies on careful research and strict sanitation. As a multistate Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to deli meats raises concerns, researchers continue to work behind the scenes to ensure food safety standards…
Water is Vital to Food Safety – World Water Week 2024
As the World Water Week conference concludes this week, Arkansas Center for Food Safety Director Kristen Gibson reflects on the essential connection between water and food safety.
USDA-NIFA Awards $300K to Study Food Safety, Plant Pathogens and Pests in Hydroponics
As controlled environment agriculture and vertical farming gain a greater foothold in modern agriculture, a new $300,000 grant aims to enhance hydroponic lettuce production. Kristen Gibson, director of the Arkansas Center for Food Safety and Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station faculty member…
Kenyan Crop Contamination Outbreak Inspires Grad Student to Improve Rice Storage
While half the global population relies on rice as a staple, about 15 percent of rice produced each year is contaminated by potentially fatal aflatoxins. Seeing this threaten lives in her home country of Kenya prompted a graduate research assistant to focus on eradicating the risk through safer storage methods…
Food Safety Scientists Crank Up Steam, Radio Waves to Kill Salmonella Amid Spice Recall
Bacteria can easily hibernate in low-moisture ingredients such as flour and spices, and food scientists have been working on ways to make them safer with novel technologies. Publication of a food safety study on radiofrequency pasteurization and novel steam technology highlights…
Previous News
2023
Novel Wastewater Disinfection Technology Aims to Reduce Water Usage in Poultry Production
May 19, 2023
U of A System Division of Agriculture
How to Minimize Cross-Contamination If You Rinse Raw Chicken
Apr. 6, 2023
Food Network
Arkansas to Lead $5 Million Grant-Established Center to Advance Robotics in Poultry Processing
Mar. 9, 2023
U of A System Division of Agriculture
High-tech cameras focused on chicken breast defect detection
Mar. 3, 2023
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Microgreens and Food Safety
Feb. 22, 2023
Science Meets Food
Food safety critical amid Arkansas outages
Feb. 4, 2023
Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Researchers receive $1 million grant to develop robotic system to assist poultry processing
Jan. 19, 2023
U of A System Division of Agriculture
2022
Schools’ COVID caution also prevents colds, flu
Aug. 6, 2022
Arkansas Democrat Gazette
IAFP 2022: Persistence of Norovirus, Hepatitis A in low-moisture foods
Aug. 3, 2022
Food Safety Magazine
Trendy greens’ safety studied
July 27, 2022
Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Microgreens’ vulnerability to pathogens characterized by researchers
July 11, 2022
Phys.org
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station names Kristen Gibson Director of Center for Food Safety
Apr. 26, 2022
U of A System Division of Agriculture