Crisis Management and Food Security Training

Guidelines were previously developed by FSIS to help USDA and "equal-to" State Inspected meat and poultry plants to identify ways to strengthen their security plans to protect against acts of bioterrorism, an increasing concern for all businesses in the United States. Unfortunately a majority of the information previously published in guidelines would not be very applicable to small and very small meat processors.

The crisis management and food security manual provides information on:

    

•  Basic food security information

•  Keeping risks in perspective

•  Food security scenarios

•  Crisis management

• Mitigation

.  Preparedness

.  Response

.  Recovery

•  Physical security and hardening of facilities

•   Response information

•   Recall information

•   Resource information and previously developed guidelines

•   Contact list information

 

Meat and poultry processors have an enormous responsibility to provide safe and wholesome products. Although the meat and poultry industry is one of the most heavily regulated and inspected industries, we cannot solely depend on any one technique to secure the food supply. With the implementation of HACCP the meat and poultry industry went from a system of command-and-control with end product testing to a system of prevention throughout production to assure safe and wholesome food products.

Time and again history has shown that a well thought out, coordinated response helps prevent personal injury, property damage, and lessen the resulting confusion. When an organization plans on how it will respond to an emergency threatening its operation, it is more likely to survive the incident.

While the guidelines developed by government agencies are voluntary, it is vital that all food businesses take steps to ensure the security of their operations.

The manual will be available to all AAMP members on October 1.  It will be is priced at $35 for members ($50 for non-members), including shipping and handling (PA residents add 6% sales tax). The attached order form can be printed from and sent with a check payable to AAMP, P.O. Box 269, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. To use a credit card, provide card number, expiration date, name on card and signature, and fax to 717-367-9096. Shipments will begin October 1.  For a printable PDF order form, Click Here.