(ARS: Washington) -- The Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has unveiled an Internet resource to help smaller companies answer food-safety questions and help food processors make science-based food-production decisions. The Predictive Microbiology Information Portal is one of the most comprehensive decision-support tools available.

“Scientists, food-safety risk managers, researchers, and government decision makers can use this access to predictive modeling tools and food-microbiology information,” says Edward B. Knipling, administrator of USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. “The portal is geared toward small and very small processors, and the information it contains will benefit companies of all sizes.”

“This partnership builds on our extensive efforts to provide more resources and better tools to the small and very small plants so they can enhance the safety of their products,” says Al Almanza, administrator of USDA’s food safety and inspection service.

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