Food and Agricultural Policy Research Projects

For USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, RTI conducted analyses to understand and analyze the economic effects of alternative marketing arrangements used in the livestock and meat industries.

For the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference, RTI estimated industry costs to implement technologies that reduce consumers' risk of Vibrio vulnificus from eating raw oysters and developed an economic model to determine the market-level effects of these requirements.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI conducted an economic impact analysis of a regulation restricting use of specified risk material from beef cattle aged 30 months or older and prohibiting slaughter of nonambulatory-disabled cattle. RTI estimated costs to comply with the regulation and constructed a facility-level model to estimate the effects of the regulation on beef markets and small businesses.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI conducted statistical analyses using recent survey results and data on plant operations to identify the plant characteristics, practices, and compliance history associated with food safety performance as measured by Salmonella testing results. RTI conducted the analyses using multiple multivariate data analysis methods: principal components or factor analysis, regression analysis, and chi-square automatic interaction detector (CHAID).

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI conducted an economic impact analysis of the rule, "Performance Standards for the Production of Processed Meat and Poultry," using data collected through expert elicitation. RTI estimated industry-wide costs to comply with performance standards for Salmonella and Clostridium perfringens in RTE meat and poultry products.

For FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, RTI developed a benefit transfer method for valuing changes in morbidity. RTI applied meta-regression analysis to combine findings from multiple studies. RTI also analyzed the relationship between WTP for avoided illness and the severity (from health status measures) and duration of illness, as well as other demographic and study characteristics. The results provide a foundation for identifying, summarizing, and transferring estimates from the health valuation literature.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), RTI developed a real-time measure of how well meat and poultry establishments control food safety hazards. This measure, the Hazard Control Coefficient (HCC), uses establishment-level data from FSIS agency databases to measure how consistently establishments meet regulatory requirements.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI conducted an expert elicitation to assist FSIS in collecting data on the relative risks posed to public health by various types of processed meat and poultry products.

For FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, RTI developed a model to estimate costs of labeling changes associated with proposed food safety, nutrition, and dietary supplement regulations. The model allows users to select product categories, affected label components, compliance periods, and other parameters that affect the costs of labeling changes.

For FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, RTI developed a quantitative model to estimate changes in annual foodborne illness cases associated with food handling practices in retail establishments and households.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI developed facility-level models to estimate the economic effects associated with regulations affecting beef slaughter and processing facilities, pork slaughter and processing facilities, and poultry slaughter and processing facilities.

For FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, RTI developed an operational model to estimate proportions of companies that will reformulate or relabel products in response to different types of regulations. To complement model development, RTI conducted interviews with food manufacturers and restaurant chains to learn about factors affecting their decisions to create or reformulate more healthy food with respect to weight management and nutrition.

For FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, RTI developed a database of private food testing laboratories in the United States and other countries that submit test packages of imported foods to FDA.

For FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, RTI developed a database of dietary supplement manufacturers, a database of dietary supplements containing animal ingredients, and a database of labeling information (e.g., product name, ingredient list, dietary claims) on approximately 3,000 dietary supplement products and dietary supplements.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI developed and periodically updates and maintains the Enhanced Facilities Database and its guidebook to reflect the current operating status and product volumes for meat, poultry, and egg products establishments under federal and state inspection.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI developed the probabilistic risk assessment model to estimate the reduction in human health risk from Salmonella Enteritidis by pasteurization of shell eggs and egg products. We used @Risk to develop the risk assessment model and considered inter-individual, temporal, and inter-species variability to estimate risk reduction from various pasteurization scenarios. We also conducted a sensitivity analysis to identify relative importance of various inputs.

In collaboration with North Carolina and Michigan State Universities, RTI conducted a study to incorporate findings from a risk assessment of Listeria monocytogenes, a meta-analysis of consumer food-handling practices, and a consumer survey to develop risk communication messages on listeriosis prevention for older adults. RTI also conducted consumer focus groups to test and evaluate the messages. This study was funded by a USDA National Integrated Food Safety Initiative Grant.

For USDA's Risk Management Agency, RTI conducted an evaluation of the Cultivated Clam Pilot Insurance Program. We developed a detailed profile of the cultivated clam production industry and the pilot insurance program, as well as key issues identified by stakeholders, based on primary and secondary data collection. We then conducted numerous analyses of grower participation and actuarial performance over time and by state and county to assess differences between states with varying production practices and insurance provisions as well as changes that have taken place over time in response to changes made in the pilot program.

For the Cotton Board, RTI conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. We developed a detailed profile of the industry, compiled data, estimated econometric models, and calculated the return on investment using an equilibrium displacement model.

For the National Pork Board, RTI collaborated with researchers at North Carolina State University to evaluate the return on investment provided by the pork checkoff program using a state-of-the-art demand system and equilibrium displacement model.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI developed an "Industry Self-Assessment Checklist for Food Security" that plants can use to constructively evaluate their security plans to prevent intentional contamination of their products. Also, RTI observed and evaluated a tabletop exercise on food security and continuity of operations and prepared an after-action report.

For the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, RTI conducted an evaluation synthesis to help the Strategic Planning Task Force under the National Food Safety Initiative refine strategic objectives, identify existing programs and new resources, and offer evidence in likely success of achieve strategies developed under the Food Safety Strategic Plan.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI conducted a multi-year study to evaluate the impact of the PR/HACCP final rule and other farm-to-table food safety strategies in five areas: (1) foodborne illness and hazards, (2) inspection effectiveness, (3) meat and poultry industry and international trade, (4) consumer confidence, and (5) farm-to-table activities.

In collaboration with Tennessee State University and Jackson State Community College, RTI is conducting a study to characterize consumers' preparedness to respond to emergencies (e.g., extended power outages and foodborne bioterrorism). Using findings from a national survey and focus groups, the study team will develop and test educational materials regarding food safety during emergencies. This study is being funded by a USDA National Integrated Food Safety Initiative Grant.

For the Partnership for Food Safety Education, RTI conducted a review of existing consumer food safety education research conducted by USDA, FDA, CDC, and other organizations. We also compiled data on consumers' use of safe food handling practices. Based on our review of this secondary data, we made recommendations to the Partnership regarding possible modifications to their food safety education programs and identified subpopulations and specific practices to target with more aggressive food safety education efforts.

In collaboration with Tennessee and Kansas State universities, RTI conducted a study to characterize consumer handling and storage of refrigerated ready-to-eat foods. Using survey findings and information collected through food diaries and interviews, the study team developed risk communication messages targeted to at-risk populations (e.g., pregnant women and older adults). This study was funded by a USDA National Integrated Food Safety Initiative Grant. The survey data are available at www.foodrisk.org/exclusives/CSPRRTEF/index.cfm.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI conducted focus groups with pregnant women to identify preferred educational messages and delivery mechanisms to inform pregnant women about the risks of listeriosis as well as practices to reduce their risk. FSIS used the findings from this research to help develop educational materials targeted to pregnant women.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI conducted an evaluation of the USDA Food Safety Mobile to determine the effectiveness of the Mobile to support local food safety education efforts and improve consumers' food safety awareness and knowledge and food handling practices. RTI identified recommendations to improve event activities and the implementation of Mobile events.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI conducted consumer focus groups to collect information on 1) consumers' use and understanding of various labeling features (e.g., the Nutrition Facts panel, handling statements, and product dates); 2) consumers' attitudes toward mandatory requirements for labeling; 3) preferences for labeling of irradiated food products; and 4) preferences for labeling of food products with possible allergenic ingredients.

For the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, RTI conducted an analysis of inspection data for the state of Iowa that explored the relationship between routine restaurant inspection outcomes and the presence of a certified kitchen manager.

In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, RTI analyzed quantitative survey data on restaurant workers' food preparation practices, including handwashing, glove use, and the measurement of food temperatures.

In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, RTI conducted a focus group study with restaurant workers to identify factors that impact their ability to engage in safe food preparation practices.

In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, RTI conducted an observational field study on restaurant workers' handwashing practices and factors associated with safe handwashing practices.

In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, RTI conducted a focus group study with environmental health specialists (restaurant inspectors) to collect descriptive data on their restaurant inspection and foodborne illness outbreak investigation practices.

For USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, RTI conducted industry surveys from livestock producers and feeders, meat packers, meat processors, food wholesalers, food retailers, food service operators, and meat exporters to better understand the role of alternative marketing arrangements in the fed cattle and beef, hog and pork, and lamb and lamb meat industries.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI designed and conducted a pilot study of infectious agents at hog slaughter plants that pose human health risks. Data from establishment interviews and sample collection were used to make recommendations for a full-scale surveillance system.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI conducted a national survey of egg packers and egg products processing plants to collect information on current technologies and practices for controlling pathogens and promoting food safety.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI conducted a national survey of meat and poultry slaughter and processing plants to collect information on current technologies and practices for controlling pathogens and promoting food safety.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI conducted a national survey of meat and poultry processing-only plants to collect information on current technologies and practices for controlling pathogens and promoting food safety.

For FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, RTI surveyed dietary supplement manufacturers to collect information on manufacturing practices and what constitutes good manufacturing practices (GMPs).

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI conducted industry interviews to determine whether chemical (antibiotic and pesticide residues) and physical (e.g., foreign objects) hazards are identified and controlled in federally inspected meat and poultry slaughter plants since the PR/HACCP final rule.

For USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, RTI managed the data collection at 40 young chicken, young turkey, and market hog plants before and after implementing new slaughter inspection models. RTI collected and evaluated microbial and organoleptic data for the baseline and model phases and reported findings.

For USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, RTI is collecting and analyzing data on the sales, procurement, and marketing of livestock and meat by livestock producers and feeders, meat packers, meat processors, food wholesalers, food retailers, food service operators, and meat exporters. RTI and its academic partners are developing econometric models to (1) determine whether the use of alternative marketing arrangements in livestock and meat industries has implications for the pricing of livestock and meat; (2) estimate consumer and producer surplus changes associated with alternative marketing arrangements; and (3) simulate the effects of restrictions on the use of alternative marketing arrangements by establishments that slaughter cattle, hogs, and lambs.

For the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, RTI prepared an assessment of the current damage assessment methods for agriculture and forests as well as disaster-related policies in place and developed policy recommendations for improving damage assessment and mitigation.

Under this National Cancer Institute grant, RTI collaborated with researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, the University of South Carolina, and the Rural Advancement Foundation International to survey tobacco farmers in 14 of the highest flue-cured tobacco-producing counties in North Carolina and conduct analyses of changes in tobacco farmer attitudes, intentions, and actions regarding tobacco production, tobacco companies, and public health over time.

For the Agricultural Advancement Consortium of the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, RTI compiled data on North Carolina agriculture and prepared reports analyzing baseline conditions and the outlook for agriculture in the state, assessed county-level vulnerability to structural changes taking place in agriculture, developed a set of key issues and policy recommendations for improving the viability of agriculture in the state, and developed profiles of agricultural conditions for all 100 counties in North Carolina.

For FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, RTI conducted extensive literature reviews and interviews with food manufacturers to understand the demand-side and supply-side factors related to bioengineered foods technologies.

Under this RTI-funded project, we are examining the potential impacts of changes in spatial and temporal distribution of precipitation and extreme weather events on agricultural yields, the impacts of increased pest pressure related to climate change on forest pest damages, and implications of projected changes in climate for water availability.

For EPA's Climate Change Division, RTI is contributing to the development of enhanced marginal abatement cost curves for croplands that reflect the potential for simultaneous or sequential adoption of multiple mitigation options on the same land.

For EPA's Climate Change Division, RTI is assessing the potential impacts of climate change on key sectors of the U.S. economy, including energy, health, agriculture, forests, and water resources. In addition, RTI is conducting analyses of the mitigation potential and associated cost for reducing black carbon and organic carbon, which comprise a portion of particulate matter emissions and have implications for global climate.

For EPA's Climate Change Division and Office of Transportation and Air Quality, RTI is collaborating with Texas A&M University to conduct analyses of the impacts of U.S. renewable fuels policies on U.S. agriculture and forests using the Forest and Agricultural Sector Optimization Model with Greenhouse Gases (FASOMGHG). We are evaluating effects on land use, commodity prices and output, input prices and quantities, and consumer and producer welfare.

For EPA's Climate Change Division, RTI collaborated with researchers from Texas A&M University, Oregon State University, Duke University, and Ohio State University to make enhancements to the Forest and Agricultural Sector Optimization Model with Greenhouse Gases (FASOMGHG), develop biomass supply curves for public forestlands, analyze the potential for using fire management as an option for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and help organize the Forestry and Agriculture Greenhouse Gas Modeling Forum.

For EPA's Climate Change Division, RTI is assessing the potential impacts of climate change, including changes in temperature, precipitation, atmospheric concentration of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, pest populations, atmospheric concentration of stratospheric ozone, and changes in episodic events (e.g., hurricanes, fire, El Niño) on agriculture and forests.

For EPA’s Climate Change Division and in collaboration with researchers at World Resources Institute, EPA, and the Forest Ecology and Production Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, RTI examined the status of Russian forestry data to assess carbon stocks and flows and to conduct analysis of carbon sequestration potential. RTI also estimated the magnitude of carbon stocks in Russian lands and whether these stocks were a net sink or source of emissions and analyzed the economic potential of sequestering additional carbon in the Russian forest landscape as a potential climate mitigation option.

For EPA’s Climate Change Division, RTI is examining the extent of baseline deforestation and associated carbon emissions. Using a global timber market model that accounts for above- and below-ground vegetative carbon stock, RTI is also analyzing the potential and cost of avoided deforestation as well as the economic potential for incorporating reductions in deforestation as climate change mitigation options.

For EPA’s Climate Change Division and in collaboration with researchers at EPA, Colorado State University, the University of New Hampshire, Applied Geosolutions, and the International Food Policy Research Institute, RTI analyzed the potential and cost of mitigating non-CO₂ greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture for all major regions of the world. This study developed analyses of the global potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock management, croplands soil management, and rice cultivation as well as the associated costs for mitigation options in all regions, and provided data for global modeling efforts such as the Energy Modeling Forum.

For USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS), RTI is developing updated estimates of consumer-level food loss that occurs at and away from home. These estimates will be incorporated into ERS' Food Availability Data System.

For USDA's Economic Research Service, RTI developed a plan for conducting analyses to better understand the characteristics of household-based scanner data. Initial projects include (1) comparing the panelists' attitudes towards diet and health to the general population and (2) comparing projected household expenditures to other data sources.

For USDA's Economic Research Service's Food Assistance and Nutrition Programs, RTI is conducting analyses to understand low- and high-income households' preferences for nonalcoholic beverages and the effect of container size on consumption of carbonated soft drinks.

Under this RTI-funded project, we explored farm household response to production risk posed by avian influenza. We have developed a theoretical model of farm household decisions regarding poultry production, investment in disease mitigation, and response to public policy.

For USDA's Economic Research Service, RTI assessed the potential for using available disaggregated Nielsen data for analyses of U.S. consumer response to disease outbreaks.

For USDA's Economic Research Service, RTI assessed the potential for using available disaggregated Nielsen data for 14 countries that had experienced outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. Based on this assessment, RTI estimated models of Italian consumer response to media coverage of avian influenza.

Under this RTI-funded project, we are building on our previous models of consumer response to media coverage of avian influenza by estimating response within a demand system to capture substitution effects.

For the Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium, RTI developed econometric models of timber supply, reforestation, and stand improvements. Our focus was on non-industrial private landowner behavior and accounting for the effects of non-timber amenities on their decision-making.

For the Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium, RTI is collaborating with researchers at North Carolina State University to estimate parameters for use in modeling the implications of bioenergy competition for forest biomass in the southern U.S. using the SubRegional Timber Supply model.

Under this RTI-funded project, we reviewed the literature on the effects of severe weather on forests and the extent to which changes in forest management can mitigate damages from severe weather events.