Institute for Food Safety and Health

Center for Processing Innovation

The IFSH Center for Processing Innovation (IFSH-CPI) is a research center within the Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH) where food safety, food defense, and food processing research are conducted. 

The Center houses state-of-the-art food processing equipment such as high-pressure processing, UV processing, retorts, and other novel non-thermal-based technologies and serves as a “playground” for the food industry to explore and evaluate food processing technologies for their products.  Our in-house expertise in food microbiology, food virology, food process engineering, food chemistry, and nutrition is available to conduct challenge studies, technology evaluation, and food quality and nutrition studies.  The Center’s facilities include an FDA registered GMP pilot plant and kitchen, pilot plant spaces and the nation’s very few BSL3 Biocontainment Pilot Plant (BCPP) provide exploration opportunities with real-world conditions.  The unique BSL3 BCPP allows challenge studies to be conducted with pathogens using pilot scale equipment and is well suited for the evaluation of processing technology as process control for pathogen inactivation.

IFSH-CPI provides research support to various regulatory agencies including FDA, USDA, and local governments through contract research grants and participation in working groups. Our staff act as subject matter experts for the food industry and are available for consulting or via engagement in proprietary contract research services. 

To learn more about our facilities and services click here.

  • Food safety and food processing activities
  • Challenge studies
  • Shelf-life studies
  • Expertise in food microbiology, food processing and engineering
  • Evaluation of processing technology for process control
  • Training and outreach activities in food safety and food processing
  • Consultation services

Key Staff Members and Contact Information

Alvin Lee, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Processing Innovation, Associate Professor, Illinois Tech
708.563.8277
alee33@iit.edu

Jason Wan
Associate Director, IFSH, FSPCA Director, Illinois Tech
708.563.8287
jwan1@iit.edu

Kathiravan Krishnamurthy
Engineer, Assistant Professor, Illinois Tech
708.563.8272
kkrishn2@iit.edu