** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** SEAMOSS IS A SPIKY, SEA VEGETABLE THAT SOMEWHAT RESEMBLES FRISÉE LETTUCE WHEN IT IS IN THE OCEAN. WHEN DRIED AND PACKAGED, THE PLANT LOOKS LIKE COOKED RAMEN NOODLES WITH TANGLED TENDRILS THAT CLUMP TOGETHER. FOOD MANUFACTURERS HARVEST IT FOR ITS CARRAGEENAN, AN INGREDIENT THAT ACTS AS A THICKENING AGENT FOR FOOD LIKE ICE CREAM, CHOCOLATE MILK AND CREAMERS. SEAMOSS REFERS TO SPECIFIC TYPES OF ALGAE OR SEAWEED THAT ARE NATURALLY RICH IN CERTAIN NUTRIENTS, AND MINERALS LIKE FOLATE, VITAMIN K, IODINE, MAGNESIUM, CALCIUM. WHILE THE PLANT CAN BE CONSUMED RAW OR SUPPLEMENT FORMS, IT IS MOSTLY EATEN IN GEL. THE GEL IS MADE BY SOAKING THE DRIED PLAN IN WATER, BLENDING IT, AND LETTING IT SOLIDIFY IN THE FRIDGE. SEAMOSS PRODUCTS ARE OFTEN SOLD BY SMALL MANUFACTURERS IN THE FORM OF GELS, OR AS AN INGREDIENT TO A SMOOTHIE, OR OTHER JUICES. THE PRODUCERS HAVE LITTLE TO NO FOOD SAFETY KNOWLEDGE. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE NO FOODS SAFETY GUIDE FOR THE PRODUCERS WISHING TO INCLUDE THIS INGREDIENT IN A FOOD PRODUCT SPECIFICALLY A BEVERAGE. IN OCTOBER 2022, THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT HAS RECALLED LEMONADE AND GEL PRODUCTS SOLD BY ROYAL SEAMOSS. WHILE NO ILLNESSES HAVE BEEN REPORTED, THE CONSUMERS WERE WARNED NOT TO USE OR CONSUME THE PRODUCT. THE SEAMOSS GEL IS AREA OF CONCERN, THE PH IS TYPICALLY ABOVE 4.60 UNLESS ACIDIFIED. DEPENDING ON THE VISCOSITY, THIS PRODUCT MIGHT HAVE ANAEROBIC POCKET IF NOT PACKAGED CORRECTLY. THUS, INCREASING THE RISK FOR C. BOTULINUM.IN 2011, THE FDA FOOD SAFETY MODERNIZATION ACT (FSMA) WAS SIGNED INTO LAW TO EXPAND THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF THE FDA, ALLOWING THEM TO INCREASE THEIR FOCUS ON FOODBORNE ILLNESS PREVENTION AND NOT JUST OUTBREAK RESPONSE. THE EDIBLE SEAWEED HAS YET TO BE REGULATED ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMPTION IS PROJECT TO INCREASE. THEREFORE, THE PROPOSED PROJECT PLAN TO ANALYZE COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SEAMOSS AND SEAMOSS GELS FOR PATHOGENS AND HEAVY METALS. AFTERWARDS, WE WILL TEST THE THREE MOST POPULAR SEAMOSS RECIPES TO SEE IF THEY SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF PATHOGEN DURING STORAGE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE AND UNDER REFRIGERATED CONDITIONS. FINALLY, WE WILL CREATE GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS FOR THE INDUSTRY AND DISSEMINATE THE RESULTS ON OUR WEBSITE, WEBINAR, CONFERENCES, AND SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS.

Cornell University, Ithaca NY

Investigators