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Research Centers

The elevation to "institute" status, approved by the IIT Executive Committee on Dec. 8, 2010, reflects the broader scope of activities typically conducted by a university-based institute as compared with a more narrowly defined "center" of study. Under IFSH, four strategically aligned operating centers, including NCFST, will support the institute's overall mission and objectives. These centers are:

• The National Center for Food Safety and Technology will continue to operate under its long-time cooperative agreement between IIT and FDA, focusing on design and performance of a variety of collaborative and cooperative research projects across several focus areas, including microbiology, chemical constituents, allergens, food processing, packaging, methods validation, and nutrition.
  
  
• The Center for Nutrition Research supports the work of the Clinical Nutrition Research Center (CNRC), which conducts human nutrition and clinical research to determine the health benefits of foods and food components in a variety of study areas, including nutrient properties and bioavailability, obesity and satiety, diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk reduction, and infant and child nutrition. The unit also manages projects related to IFSH's Health Promoting Foods research arm.
  
  
• The Center for Processing Innovation provides expanded process control and process validation capabilities for applied research through IFSH's GMP processing area, kitchen and pilot plant, BSL-2 processing innovation laboratory, fresh produce processing line, and the newly commissioned BSL-3 laboratory and biocontainment pilot plant. The unit also administers education and training services, and other targeted commercial projects.
  
  
• The Center for Specialty Programs administers key specialized programs, including customized laboratory proficiency testing services for stakeholders. This center manages development and oversight of government project contracts with US FDA, USDA, Department of Homeland Security, and other regulatory agencies associated with food protection and nutrition.