Food Supply Protection and Homeland Security

Addressing both direct threats to humans, including the introduction of anthrax or smallpox, and indirect threats, those introducing diseases to plants and animals, the author examines the state of our food protection readiness. He examines the battle plan against our food supplies and provides a blueprint for defense.

Readers will examine what the federal government is doing to protect our food supply, from the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act to the USDA's Homeland Security Council to the Food and Drug Administration's 10-point plan. They'll also examine actual cases of domestic food-related contamination and terrorism and identify potential targets.

Using an easy-to-understand approach, the author provides detailed overviews of 46 foodborne pathogenic microorganisms and natural toxins, what the USDA calls "Bad Bugs." Each listing includes the size and shape, source, symptoms, causes, diagnoses, associated foods, and more, for each "bad bug."

The author also provides detailed guidelines for taking security measures at each link in the food supply chain. From the farm to the highways, addressing imported, exported, and intracountry food shipments, he identifies everything from the pros and cons of using crash beam barriers on farmlands to the various types of alarms and sensors.