Food Defense

Protecting our food from both intentional and inadvertent contamination is critical. There are diverse and sometimes complicated methods used to protect food and the food supply chain. Added to these challenges are overlapping and confusing governmental regulations and guidelines. We can help you manage through both legal and security elements of Food Defense. We provide the following services to companies who operate within our complex food chain:

• Draft, implement and evaluate Food Defense Plans.
• Conduct Threat & Vulnerability assessments to address risks to your products, facilities, personnel and brand.
• Devise and design procedures for company initiatives, for regulatory compliance and to attain industry certifications.

These services ultimately relate to advice and guidance related to various regulations that impact the industry. We help you gain insight into the solutions-driven approach that various companies use to deal with these complex legal requirements and standards. These services include advice relative to C-TPAT, TSA, DOT, CFATS, MTSA, AEO, USDA and FDA regulations and guidelines as well as the Private Sector Preparedness Programs. For example, we developed and compiled a comprehensive undertaking incorporating these laws, regulations and guidelines into a concise matrix supported by charts, references and the actual language from the particular legislation or regulation and from the existing policies of the firm. This information is critical in the development and implementation of a comprehensive, company wide Food Defense Plan. Click on the below image to get a sense of this undertaking:

The key component of this work was the development of a concise Food Defense Matrix that was used to frame the underlying discussion with key corporate decision makers. These "C" level and senior VP's were able to quickly, yet accurately, get a sense of the laws, regulations and guidelines that relate to food defense. From this matrix, our work enabled firm decision makers to "drill down" into specific provisions and exact references from each specific governmental enactment. In the end, the matrix illustrated below provided the concise framework needed to drive the development of the Food Defense Plan and related policy directives (to get a better view of the matrix, please click on the above Food Defense image).

It is critical that every organization involved in the food industry approach Food Defense in a comprehensive manner. This entails developing Food Defense plans, conducting threat assessments, and responding in a timely and appropriate manner in the event of potential contamination. Indeed, the USDA requires the following elements of a functional Food Defense Plan:

• Development- draft plan after conducting appropriate threat assessment.  
• Implement- plan when the defense measures identified in the plan are in place and used as intended.
• Test- institute testing procedures of the plan by monitoring periodically to evaluate the effectiveness of its defense measures.
• Assessment- review and revise plan as necessary whenever new risks are discovered or when deficiencies are manifested.
• Maintain- establish plan maintenance by ensuring that the defense measures are continuing effective.

In addition to Food Defense plan requirements, certain other laws and regulations require:

1.         FDA Registration
2.         Health & Safety Standards
3.         Establish & Maintenance of Records (1 Up/1 Down)
4.         Prior Notice of Shipment
5.         Regulate Agents & Toxics
6.         Product Recall/Traceability
7.         Administrative Detention & Quarantine

In addition, we provide comprehensive consultative programs designed to educate your work force on the nature and preventive techniques of food defense, and to minimize the liability exposure related to any contamination claim. In this sense, our consultative programs serve as both training and risk management—with the dual goals of reducing the incidence and impact of food defense within your company.

Feel free to contact us to discuss how we can help manage the laws and regulations of food defense plus the threat of food contamination.