Who We Are

The Center for Research on Ingredient Safety at Michigan State University (CRIS) is one of the few organizations in the world willing to tackle the hard questions about ingredient safety in our everyday products. 


From food to beverages to household products and cosmetics, society trusts that the companies, organizations, and established federal guidelines put consumer and constituent health first.

But how do we ensure these entities have our best interest at heart? How do we know that what they are saying about the ingredients in our everyday products are true?

CRIS fills that void. We use expert knowledge to research, fact check, and supply the global community with the latest science-based information about the ingredients in our food and cosmetics.


We leverage the expertise of established investigators who have devoted their lives’ work to science, and we demystify dense academic journal findings and governmental reports so you can make informed decisions about the science in our lives.

We are unique in that we work with academia, government, non-governmental organizations, and industry to understand the safe use of ingredients. To be a CRIS Partner, an entity must be willing to submit to our code of ethics of complete transparency and always putting the consumers’ best interests regarding ingredient safety first.

While this may make us unpopular with some groups, we believe that transparency and truth are requirements to earn your trust, and the confidence of the global community.

Who We Are

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MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

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