Michigan State University (MSU) continues its commitment to agricultural research, as a dedicated team secures a substantial $611,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Their goal: to uncover the mysteries of heavy metal contamination in crops, with a special focus on harmful elements like arsenic, cadmium, and lead.
At the forefront of this ambitious project is Wei Zhang, an associate professor in MSU's Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. Zhang leads a team of experts from various MSU departments, supported by MSU AgBioResearch, as they dive into the complex world of crop contamination.
The team includes:
• Zachary Hayden, an assistant professor in the Department of Horticulture.
• Hui Li, a professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. • Kurt Steinke, an associate professor and MSU Extension specialist in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences.
• Felicia Wu, the John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Food Science and Human Nutrition, and Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics. Their research has gained urgency due to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's "Closer to Zero" initiative. Launched in 2021, this initiative aims to reduce harmful contaminants in foods, especially those consumed by infants and young children. The effort follows a congressional report highlighting the risks of elevated arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury levels in store-bought baby foods.
Understanding how heavy metals end up in crops is a complex puzzle. Factors like soil type, climate, and crop type all play a role in this process, making it a multifaceted challenge. Zhang emphasizes the importance of unraveling these complexities to ensure food safety for consumers and the farming community alike.
The project, funded by the USDA, builds on ongoing research, including investigations into how soil amendments can reduce heavy metal uptake in crops like carrots. This research aligns with Michigan's Specialty Crop Block Grant, managed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The potential impact of this work is highlighted by Jamie Clover Adams, executive director of the Michigan Carrot Committee, who sees the opportunity to enhance the safety of carrot production in the state.
Expanding their research to include wheat, a common ingredient in baby foods, the team aims to broaden their insights. By rigorously studying soil and plants, along with using advanced machine learning techniques, they intend to create comprehensive risk models for heavy metal contamination. These models will guide targeted strategies for farms, offering valuable resources for growers, industries, and policymakers.
MSU's research initiative stands as a beacon of collaboration and innovation, shedding light on the challenges of heavy metal contamination in crops. Through their work, the team seeks to inform decisions that enhance food safety and promote sustainable agriculture.
Photo Credit: Michigan State University
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