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Page Updated:
18-Oct-2006
SPS Homepage > Studies & Projects > Index of the PS
Food
Chain Security
The objective of what is briefly called "Food Chain Security" is to study the safety and security of food stuffs in the face of their careless/ignorant handling as well as against expected terrorist attacks at the system which may destroy and/or degrade it at the source during distribution, processing and in the consumption phase. The study includes the protective and response measures which may have to be taken to reduce the risk and mitigate the consequences of these threats to the food system. The nature of the terrorist threat appears to be more uncertain and diffused since the terrible September 11 attacks. The nature of the terrorist threat against the food system comprising production, distribution, processing and catering can be very diverse and unpredictable and involve chemical and biological agents of various kinds. Preparing for all possible contingence is not practical, so a " risk management approach" recommends itself for use in this study.
Risk management is a systematic, analytical process to consider the likelihood that a threat will harm an asset or individuals and to identify actions that reduce the risk and mitigate the consequences of an attack or event. Risk management principles acknowledge that while risk generally cannot be eliminated, enhancing protection from known or potential threats can reduce it.
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