Defending Food Supply Against Terrorist Attack

Newswise — As the threat of terrorism against nations around the world increases, so, too, does interest in the food supply as one possible target of attack. This threat is leading experts in food science and technology, processing, transportation and other areas to converge here later this month at the Institute of Food Technologist' International Food Safety and Quality Conference, a one-day deliberation Wednesday, July 20 coinciding with the conclusion of the IFT Annual Meeting + FOOD EXPO®.

The food supply is a target susceptible to one or more terror threats which can take many forms, including biological, chemical, radiological, and physical agents. Furthermore, the protection of farming, transportation and distribution systems, food processing and retail establishments is vital to the U.S. economy and the nation's security and health.

Topics to be addressed on this subject include emergency response situations, risk-ranking procedures for potential intentional contaminants, means to defend against attack, the effect of food processing systems on biological and chemical agents, improved decision-making, and more.

The Food Safety and Quality Conference will focus on challenges to international trade. A separate session will address major animal disease implications for international trade. The influence of bird flu and mad cow on trade is inherent to this discussion. A representative of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is to address innovations in public health as they impact foodborne illness surveillance and outbreaks.

In advance and concurrent will be the IFT Annual Meeting + FOOD EXPO®, July 16-20, the world's single largest annual scientific meeting and technical exposition of its kind. The hot topic session Monday, July 18, will address the top five fears of food companies. Industry leaders are expected to share their perspective on volatile influences capable of affecting business including food security and modern day threats of terrorism.

Rated among the largest shows in America*, the IFT Annual Meeting + FOOD EXPO® delivers comprehensive, cutting-edge research and opinion from food science-, technology-, marketing- and business-leaders.

More information on each conference is available online at http://www.am-fe.ift.org.

* According to Tradeshow Week® 200 magazine.

Founded in 1939, and with world headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, USA, the Institute of Food Technologists is a not-for-profit international scientific society with 26,000 members working in food science, technology and related professions in industry, academia and government. As the society for food science and technology, IFT brings sound science to the public discussion of food issues. For more on IFT, see http://www.ift.org.