Food defense systems are primarily needed to protect against what type of threats?

Food defense systems are specifically designed to safeguard food from intentional contamination. This type of threat involves deliberate acts of tampering or malicious attacks against food supplies, which can occur through acts of terrorism, sabotage, or even disgruntled employees. The primary goal of food defense is to identify vulnerabilities in food systems and implement strategies to prevent potential harm to public health caused by these intentional acts.

While natural disasters, accidental spills, and pest infestations are legitimate concerns within food safety, they focus on natural or unintentional events rather than malicious actions. Food defense systems aim to create layers of protection using education, surveillance, and protocols to ensure that food remains safe from those who would intentionally compromise it.