 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||
|
|
Food Security By Bob Havrilak, Principal, TRAP-IT™ Security, Inc. Americans became acutely aware of security issues since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. Since then, the anthrax mailings and food tampering have increased the urgency to act. Food producers, government agencies, and lawmakers are addressing this awareness and have identified food products as vulnerable. This concern has given rise to a new meaning of food security. Until recently, food security was considered to be "adequate economic and physical access to food resources in order to meet dietary needs." Today, food security is the international initiative focused on protecting the food we consume from criminal acts intended to harm us and create doubt about the safety of our food. Food security involves protection against the intentional and premeditated contamination and adulteration of food products. Food security incidents are no accident, and include tampering, criminal, and terrorist acts. These are malicious and deliberate attempts to harm others physically, financially, and psychologically through the food they eat. The threats or methods of attack are diverse, but the purpose of a threat or attack is singularly intended to be an adverse effect on our society. Food security involves negating all vulnerable link in the food chain that is a potential target by refuting or thwarting the threat of attack. Currently, the food industry is developing food security programs to prevent food security breaches at food production facilities. Food producers, food associations, and the government are unified in the desire to develop an industry-wide food security strategy for preserving the security and safety of our food supply. A good security system incorporates a three-pronged approach: preparedness, prevention, and response using a risk management process that is credible, documentable, and auditable. Risk assessment is an essential part of developing a security plan. Determining where the greatest risks are and allocating risk management resources appropriately will greatly improve the chances of preventing an incident. A comprehensive security plan will reduce much of the potential damage in the event of an incident. Creating and implementing a food security plan may be a daunting task, but use of the basic concepts and processes that are already in place can be used to prevent and respond to food safety issues. A successfully implemented security plan will prepare facilities to prevent and respond to both intentional and unintentional contamination quickly and thoroughly. An industry-wide initiative is emerging and the food industry is responding with initiatives to safeguard products, brands, customers and consumers. This information was provided by Trap-It Securities Inc.
For more information contact Bob Havrilak at 1-877-2-TRAP-IT or visit
www.trap-it.com.
|
