Food Defense

Producers are required to conduct a Food Defense Risk Assessment to identify and assess potential threats from trespassers. Food defense is not the same as food safety. Food defense involves putting measures in place that prevent the intentional contamination of the production process or the product through chemicals, biological agents or other harmful substances by people who want to do harm.

Producers must ensure that everything entering the premises comes from safe and secured sources, and that nobody can sabotage the production process. (AF 9.1)

Food defense measures include:

Control of physical access to the premises
Sign-in procedures for all visitors to the site

Information on all the employees and subcontractors must be available.

Question (QQAF051)

True or False. Food Defense is only applicable to packhouses as it is much easier to cause intentional damage at this point. It does not apply to field situations because the risk is lower and causing intentional damage is more difficult.

Question (QQAF052)

True or False. A producer who does not have a fence around his packhouse cannot be certified.

Correct!

Incorrect!

Food defense covers all aspects of the farm and not only the packing facility.

Correct!

Incorrect!

There are many ways to manage potential threats. The inspector must consider and evaluate any suitable method the producer is applying to take action against intentional threat.