Sanja Ilic Ph.D.

Sanja Ilic, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in Human Nutrition in the Department of Human Sciences at The Ohio State University, and a Food Safety State Specialist. Her research interests include investigating and promoting food safety, preventing food safety risks among food handlers and consumers, and microbial safety of fresh fruits and vegetables, including contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., STEC, etc. Her research provides novel food safety interventions to control and eliminate foodborne pathogens and develop innovative approaches for knowledge transfer targeting specific populations, with an overall goal of improving health and wellness. She has also developed the Good Agricultural Guide for Hydroponic Producers, where her study findings, along with other research evidence, are translated into best practices for growing safe crops.

This image depicts a high-tech vertical farming facility where leafy greens like lettuce are grown indoors using hydroponic systems and artificial LED lighting.

Improving the Safety of Hydroponic Crops: Evaluation of Strategies to Mitigate Human Pathogens in Hydroponic Production

Several key opportunities exist to strengthen research and develop system-specific and effective food safety strategies for hydroponics

Sanja Ilic Ph.D. Melanie Lewis Ivey Ph.D.

March 25, 2026

This article looks at food safety in hydroponic agriculture, including interventions used in hydroponic crop production to control pathogenic contamination.

Live: March 26, 2026, at 2:00 pm EST: This session explores the role of continuous airborne pathogen control technology in supporting sanitation and environmental monitoring programs within food processing environments.

Live: March 31, 2026, at 11:00 am EDT: From this webinar, attendees will recognize patterns in food policy affecting dietary guidelines, UPFs, state legislative actions, and expected GRAS reform.

Live: April 8, 2026, at 11:00 am EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn why reinspecting with in-line equipment is not sufficient when it comes to potential foreign material contamination.

Sanja Ilic Ph.D.

ARTICLES

Improving the Safety of Hydroponic Crops: Evaluation of Strategies to Mitigate Human Pathogens in Hydroponic Production

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