LSU AgCenter Food Safety

It was a pleasure engaging with students through the Louisiana State University Agribusiness Club’s food safety program.
The session was engaging, and the students showed genuine interest. Their enthusiasm for learning about food safety principles, best practices, and the importance of doing the right thing throughout the food system was inspiring.
Programs like these highlight how student‑led initiatives can play a powerful role in preparing the next generation of agribusiness and food professionals.

Last week, we hosted a PSA + GAPs workshop at the beautiful Docville Farm, nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River in Violet, Louisiana.

The workshop brought together an incredibly engaged group of growers, whose participation and thoughtful discussions made the training truly impactful. It is always encouraging to see producers actively investing in food safety practices that strengthen both their operations and consumer confidence.

As part of our commitment to supporting on-farm food safety, we were glad to provide:
• Two handwashing stations
• Multiple washing and sanitation kits

These resources will help our growers continue implementing practical, science-based food safety measures on their farms.

A sincere thank you to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry for their support and funding, which made this workshop possible. Partnerships like this are essential to advancing food safety, strengthening local agriculture, and supporting our farming communities.

Looking forward to continuing this important work across Louisiana!

FarmToFork LouisianaAgriculture LSU School of Nutrition and Food Sciences LSU AgCenter

We recently hosted a Food Safety Training Course for small farmers in Quincy, Florida, in collaboration with Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Many thanks to our collaborator Dr. Vijay Singh Chhetri from FAMU
This program is funded through the USDA NIFA Food Safety Outreach Program (FSOP). We had a highly engaged group of participants, and we look forward to continuing and expanding our collaboration in the future.

We are proud to share a recent feature from Food Safety Magazine highlighting the work of Dr. Achyut Adhikari and his graduate students Sheetal Jha, Ivannova Lituma, Aakankshya Dhakal, and Daniel Leiva Murcia at the Louisiana State University School of Nutrition and Food Sciences.
Their research focuses on developing farm‑to‑packaging produce safety strategies that help reduce microbial risks in fresh fruits and vegetables. This work integrates controlled environment agriculture, postharvest handling, and practical solutions for growers and processors advancing science that directly benefits Louisiana producers and the broader food industry.
This national recognition reflects the dedication of Dr. Adhikari’s food safety research team and the impactful collaborations across the LSU AgCenter.
Read the full article here:
🔗 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11234-lsu-researchers-are-developing-farm-to-packaging-produce-safety-strategies

LSU Researchers are Developing Farm-to-Packaging Produce Safety Strategies The Achyut Adhikari Research Group is conducting several projects focused on preventive, FSMA-aligned strategies to reduce microbiological risks during pre-harvest and processing of produce, including hydroponic production, manure fertilizer treatment, food-contact surface sanitation, and antimicrob...

On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women everywhere. From leaders and innovators to mentors and changemakers, women continue to inspire progress and shape a brighter future for all.
Let’s honor their contributions, support one another, and continue building a world where every woman and girl can thrive.

On 26th February 2026, we successfully completed FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food v2.0 training!
It was a fantastic opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations. A big thank you to our dedicated speakers and engaged participants for making it a great event.
Congratulations to all the new Preventive Controls Qualified Individuals (PCQI)! We are looking forward to hosting more trainings in the future!

Earlier this month, we provided training about “Food Safety on Farm” at Hill Farm Teaching Facility, for 20 farmers.
We had hands-on and interactive activities, including handwashing, and demonstrated a triple wash system for washing fresh produce with sanitizer solution.
If you would like to know more about our trainings, reach out to us through our social media or email.

On January 13, 2026, on-farm food safety training was conducted for 16 Spanish-speaking farm workers in Independence, Louisiana. The training emphasized the importance of food safety on the farm and the critical role workers play when handling fresh produce during pre-harvest and post-harvest stages of the food supply chain.