Speaker Abstract: S-17
State Perspectives on Food Security Issues
Laurence Barrett, Ph.D., Division of Food, Drug and Radiation Safety, California Department of Health
As a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, DC, states became concerned with the potential for terrorist attacks against livestock, crops, and food products. They realized that in addition to food safety they must now develop new programs for food security. Using Operational Risk Management (ORM) guidelines and other food security recommendations developed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states provided training support to their food and agriculture industries. States also developed new Offices of Homeland Security as counterparts to the new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS has identified Food and Agriculture as two of the 14 critical infrastructures. State Offices of Homeland Security are tasking their food safety and security agencies with the responsibility for developing security programs for these critical infrastructures in the state. In order to meet this goal, California is now moving forward from food security to Food Defense. The state's Food Defense strategic plan includes the goals of Prevention, Detection, Emergency Response and Recovery. Prevention activities are conducted in order to ensure that appropriate public health actions are taken to prevent the unintentional or intentional contamination of foods during production from the farm to the table. Detection is critical in identifying when food contamination occurs. Emergency Response and Recovery activities are critical to reducing illnesses and deaths in an attack. This presentation will review the above topics and discuss objectives in a state food defense strategic plan.
2004 FDA Science Forum | FDA Chapter, Sigma Xi | CFSAN | FDA
Last updated on 2004-MAY-28 by frf