What is JIFSAN?

The Institute is the foundation of public and private partnerships that will provide the scientific basis for ensuring a safe, wholesome food supply as well as provide the infrastructure for contributions to national food safety programs and international food standards.

The Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN) was established between the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the University of Maryland (UM) in April 1996. The Institute is a jointly administered, multidisciplinary research and education program and includes research components from the FDA Centers for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) and Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and UM.

The Institute will foster the missions of FDA and the University through the creation of partnerships to increase the quantity and quality of research, which will provide the basis for sound public health policy. It will promote food safety and human nutrition and animal health and production through an integrated academic and regulatory science program. This includes multidisciplinary research, outreach and educational programs, and policy studies. The participation of FDA scientists in JIFSAN collaborative research programs related to FDA’s mission and the consultative arrangements with other scientists associated with FDA, the Institute, and the University will ensure the critical science-based foundation needed to establish sound food safety policy. In addition, opportunities exist for collaborative projects with other Federal and state agencies, private industry, consumer and trade groups, and international organizations with mutual interests.