Improving food safety testing in West Virginia.
Official title: Enhancing the Capability and Capacity of Human and Animal Food Testing Laboratories within West Virginia under the Laboratory Flexible Funding Model
Funded at West Virginia State Dept of Agriculture · NIH-10890629 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about making sure the food we eat is safe by helping labs in West Virginia find harmful germs faster and more accurately, so we can keep contaminated food out of stores and protect both people and animals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | West Virginia State Dept of Agriculture NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $795,000 |
| NIH project number | 5U19FD007093-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890629 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include consumers of food products in West Virginia, particularly those concerned about food safety.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in West Virginia or who do not consume food products tested by these laboratories may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This project focuses on enhancing the testing capabilities of laboratories that ensure the safety of human and animal food in West Virginia. By increasing the speed and accuracy of pathogen detection, the initiative aims to prevent contaminated food from entering the supply chain. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture will implement advanced testing methods and strengthen collaborations with the FDA and other partners to improve food safety. This effort will involve expanding sample collections and testing options in microbiology and chemistry, ensuring compliance with ISO standards.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses by ensuring safer food products for consumers.
How similar studies have gone: Similar initiatives in other states have shown success in improving food safety through enhanced laboratory testing capabilities.
Where this research is happening
-
West Virginia State Dept of Agriculture
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Young, Megan Susanne — West Virginia State Dept of Agriculture
- Study coordinator: Young, Megan Susanne
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Building resilient food safety labs in West Virginia
This grant funds West Virginia’s state agriculture department to upgrade and expand its laboratories so they can quickly and accurately test foods for a wide range of pathogens and keep contaminated products off the shelves.
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Making fruits and vegetables safer in West Virginia
This project helps West Virginia farmers and shoppers by boosting inspections, training, and rules so produce is less likely to cause food poisoning.
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Improving food safety and environmental protection in West Virginia
This study is all about making sure the food you eat in West Virginia is safe by updating rules and training local inspectors, so everyone can enjoy healthier meals without worry.
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Improving animal feed safety regulations in West Virginia
This study is all about making animal feed safer in West Virginia to help keep everyone healthy, and it’s for farmers and anyone who cares about the safety of the food we eat.
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Improving produce safety in West Virginia.
This study is all about making fruits and vegetables safer to eat in West Virginia by helping farmers follow new safety rules, so everyone can enjoy fresh produce without worrying about getting sick.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.