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Here is some fantastic news for students in collegiate food safety and related programs. 3-A SSI has launched an all-new Student Hygienic Design Competition. It gives students an opportunity to launch their careers while competing as part of an interdisciplinary team for bragging rights and a share of $10,000 in prize money.
"We believe that developing the next generation of food safety leaders is crucial," says Meri BethWojtaszek, 3-A SSI Executive Director. "This competition, which will be both educational and fun, will provide talented students with an introduction to 3-A Sanitary Standards and encourage them to pursue a career in food safety."
The 3-A SSI Student Hygienic Design Competition tackles two of the industry's critical challenges – the need for improved hygienic design solutions and a shortage of early-career professionals who understand hygienic design from day one.
The competition invites interdisciplinary student teams to help redefine safety protocols in food manufacturing. Each team of two to five must include expertise in fields such as:
Each team will work with an industry coach over five months to design, prototype, and validate solutions to complex, real-world food safety challenges, using 3-A Standards as the foundation of their work. The competition focuses on developing superior, cleanable equipment using rigorous design principles.
3-A SSI will honor winners of the Student Hygienic Design Competition at the 3-A SSISummit on Hygienic Design, May 4 to 7, 2026, at the Marriott Chicago O’Hare.
For this inaugural competition, students will develop an optimal food contact surface or coating solution that enables complete removal of dry powder products from packaging system components without introducing moisture.
Currently, complete product removal from food contact surfaces – without introducing moisture – presents a challenge for dry powder production facilities. Dry cleaning methods (air, vacuum, vibration, product purges) often leave residual powder in "hang up" points, which can harbor pathogens of concern (Salmonella, Cronobacter) that survive extended periods in hot, desiccated conditions.
By developing solutions to this problem, it is hoped that student teams will introduce novel approaches to establish a “clean break” between product runs, reducing the risk of contamination.
Teams will begin work this month and will be matched with a coach. Team participants should be locked down by December 31.
In January 2026, teams will continue to work and meet with coaches as needed. The document submission portal is expected to open January 1,2026.
In February 2026, teams will meet with coaches for a midpoint review.
March 1 is the deadline for teams to submit their solutions.
Judging will take place in March 2026, and winners will be announced April 6, 2026.
Top teams will present their solutions at the 3-A SSI 2026 Summit on Hygienic Design at the Marriott Chicago O'Hare.
The competition also offers an opportunity for experienced professionals to guide the next generation of food safety innovators. Professionals who know the 3-A Sanitary Standards and have a minimum of three years of work experience can volunteer as a mentor.
Mentors will help teams apply 3-A Sanitary Standards to real-world problems, offer practical business perspectives, and provide guidance on technical feasibility. This is a great opportunity to enhance your organization’s standing while identifying future employees or interns early inthe process.
Team registration is open now. Register your dream team and accessmore information about the competition, including how teams work, the role ofmentors, and sponsorship opportunities.
To offer your services as a mentor or to sponsor the competition, please email 3-A SSI Executive Director MeriBeth Wojtaszek.
3-A SSI has launched an all-new program to recognize rising stars under the age of 40.
The application is open for the 3-A SSI Dr. Ron Schmidt Student Travel Award. Recipients attend the 3-A SSI 2026 Summit on Hygienic Design, present a poster, and are treated to a VIP experience. After the event, recipients' research is published on the 3-A blog and promoted on social media. Many students land internships or full-time jobs as a result of the recognition.
After a productive and engaging PACK EXPO, the 3-A SSI team turns its sights to EATS and the IDFA DairyTech Conference.
Evaluating the antimicrobial efficacy of turmeric curcumin nano-emulsions for pathogen load reduction on cantaloupe surface (Cucumis melo L.)
