FDA Releases Tool to Strengthen U.S. Food Defense

WASHINGTONThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released The Food Defense Plan Builder, a comprehensive, easy-to-use software program designed to help owners and operators of food facilities develop customized plans to minimize the risk of intentional contamination at their individual food facilities.

The agency does not require food facilities to implement food defense plans, but many facilities have voluntarily put such plans into place to safeguard their products.

The Food Defense Plan Builder guides users through a series of substantive questions about the users food facility and the food manufactured, processed, packed or held there to develop a comprehensive food defense plan for the facility, which includes a vulnerability assessment, broad and focused mitigation strategies, and an action plan.