Like to know more about Food Defense
Hi!
It's been quite sometimes I visit this page.
I would like to know about Food Defense. Anyone?
What is Food Defense?
- Food defense is putting measures in place that reduce the chances of the food supply from becoming intentionally contaminated using a variety of chemicals, biological agents or other harmful substances by people who want to do us harm. These agents could include materials that are not naturally-occurring or substances not routinely tested for in food products. A terrorist’s goal might be to kill people, disrupt the economy, or ruin your business. Intentional acts generally occur infrequently, can be difficult to detect, and are hard to predict.
- Food defense is not the same as food safety. Food safety addresses the accidental contamination of food products during storage and transportation and focuses on biological, chemical or physical hazards. The main types of food safety hazards are microbes, chemicals and foreign objects. Products can become contaminated through negligence and contamination can occur during storage and transportation.
Why Develop a Food Defense Plan?
- A Food Defense Plan helps you identify steps you can take to minimize the risk that food products in your establishment will be intentionally contaminated or altered. A plan increases preparedness. Although the plan should be in place at all times, it may be particularly helpful during emergencies. During a crisis, when stress is high and response time is at a premium, a documented set of procedures improves your ability to respond quickly. A Food Defense Plan will help you maintain a safe working environment for your employees, provide a safe product to your customers, and protect your business.
Who Might Adulterate a Food Product?
- Below are some examples of the types of individuals who might be motivated to intentionally adulterate food products. Examples of Threats:
• Disgruntled current or former employee
• Members of terrorist or activist groups posing as: - Cleaning crew - Contractors - Temporary employees - Truck drivers (shipping and receiving) - Visitors - Utility Representatives
Steps in Developing a Food Defense Plan:
Step 1 - Conduct a Food Defense Assessment
Step 2 - Develop a Food Defense Plan
Step 3 - Implement the Food Defense Plan
Here is a list of sources of helpful information to consult when developing your facility’s food defense plan.
FSIS “Safety & Security Guidelines for the Transportation & Distribution of Meat, Poultry & Egg Products” http://www.fsis.usda..._Guidelines.pdf
LINK WORKING
FSIS “Guidelines for the Disposal of Intentionally Adulterated Food Products and the Decontamination of Food Processing Facilities” http://www.fsis.usda..._Guidelines.pdf
LINK WORKING
World Health Organization (WHO) – “Terrorist Threats to Food – Guidelines for Establishing and Strengthening Prevention and Response Systems” (ISBN 92 4 154584 4) http://www.who.int/f...l/terrorism/en/
LINK BROKEN
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Food Defense & Terrorism http://www.cfsan.fda...ms/defprog.html
LINK BROKEN
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – “Retail Food Stores and Food Service Establishments; Food Security Preventive Measures Guidance” http://www.cfsan.fda...s/secgui11.html
LINK BROKEN
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – ALERT: The Basics http://www.cfsan.fda...~dms/alert.html
LINK BROKEN
Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), Academic Health Center, University of Minnesota http://www.cidrap.um...osec/guidelines
LINK BROKEN
County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health, “Guidelines for Food Safety and Security” http://www.sdcounty....curity_217.pdf
LINK BROKEN
Basically three things:
(1) Controls to prevent someone from shipping or providing you with purposely contaminated materials (including air and water). This is similar to the USA Bioterrorism Act.
(2) Building security to prevent unauthorized people from entering and sabotaging your materials, machines and/or facilities.
(3) Training employees to notify management if they see a disgruntled employee sabotaging materials, machines and/or facilities.
You would need:
(1) Documented procedures.
(2) Documented training.
(3) Documented audits.
(4) Documented corrective and preventative actions (audits and incidents).
(5) Documented management review of the first four.