FSIS encourages establishments to voluntarily adopt and implement a Food Defense Plan (FDP), and to conduct training and exercises to ensure preparedness.
Food is an attractive target because everyone eats. And, in the future, terrorists can use the food supply to create fear, inflict public harm and damage food company brands.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has set a goal that by the end of this year, 90 percent of all establishments will have functional food defense plans.
If a disease outbreak occurs in today’s interconnected global economy, the stakes are higher than usual: Expect lost domestic and international sales, a damaged reputation, and even a hit to the U.S. economy from lost trade and employment.
In recent years, the science of food safety has evolved from the continuous supply of safe food to encompass terminology such as food defense and food fraud.
The ripple effect of September 11, 2001, has shifted the way business is conducted worldwide. The food industry has been no exception. Before 9/11, food safety was the main focus for food companies.