"Offsetting Behavior and the Benefits of Food Safety Policies in Vegetable Preparation and Consumption," an article co-written by NDSU researchers, earned the top honor of "Outstanding Article" in volume 26 of Agribusiness: An International Journal. Authors William Nganje, formerly of NDSU and now at Arizona State University; Dragan Miljkovic, NDSU professor of agribusiness and applied economics; and Elvis Ndembe, NDSU transportation and logistics doctoral student, will receive a $5,000 cash prize, a plaque and individual certificates.

The article discusses the effects of safety policies on the number of food-borne illnesses in the vegetable sector. The research studied a food safety policy related to Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point.

The team used a theory developed by Sam Peltzman who hypothesized that the tendency of people is to react to a safety regulation by increasing other risky behavior, offsetting some or all of the benefit of the regulation. The original theory was based on new safety regulations in vehicles and transportation. Results of the current study demonstrate dominant offsetting behavior in response to the policy Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, specifically in the vegetable sector.

Ndembe used the same theory for his master's thesis and it is what prompted him to pursue a doctorate in transportation and logistics.