Training online for food defense preparedness from the National Center for Food Protection & Defense
How would you like to call yourself a food defense preparedness risk communicator? Online risk communicator training for food defense preparedness, response and recovery is being offered as a course by the National Center for Food Protection and Defense in cooperation with the International Food Information Council. Also you can print out, explore, or email an excellent glossary of food-related terms at the IFIC site, "Glossary of Food-Related Terms."
The Risk Communicator Training is a collection of online training resources focusing on the concepts and skills necessary for effective risk communication strategies before, during and following an intentional attack on the food system. In recent years, there has been vigorous public debate about the susceptibility of research to biases of various kinds. To date, the overwhelming focus of the discussion has been on industry-funded science. Read more.
While economically-motivated adulteration is an ongoing food safety concern, it is also an important food defense concern. Examples where an individual or firm has compromised the existing quality assurance systems to commit economically motivated adulteration illustrate potential pathways for contamination. Potentially introducing much more harmful agents which would then move through our food supply system, and into restaurants and consumer’s homes.
For those who are interested in getting further involved in the investigation of economically motivated adulteration, please note this meeting announcement for the U.S. Pharmacopeia food ingredient stakeholder meeting coming in August, where economically motivated adulteration will be one of the topic areas covered.
The curriculum was developed by the Risk Communication Project at the . NCFPD is a Department of Homeland Security Center for Excellence located at the University of Minnesota. Established in 2004, the Center strives to advance the security and safety of the nation's food supply through research, education and outreach. The International Food Information Council has partnered with the NCFPD Risk Communication Project to make these training materials available to food system professionals.
The National Center for Food Protection and Defense (NCFPD) was officially launched as a Homeland Security Center of Excellence in July 2004. A multidisciplinary and action-oriented research consortium, NCFPD addresses the vulnerability of the nation's food system to attack through intentional contamination with biological or chemical agents.
NCFPD's research and education program is aimed at reducing the potential for contamination at any point along the food supply chain and mitigating potentially catastrophic public health and economic effects of such attacks. The program incorporates cutting-edge research across a wide range of disciplines, taking a comprehensive, farm-to-table view of the food system and encompassing all aspects from primary production through transportation and food processing to retail and food service.
Risk Communication Training Modules and Resource Materials
Intended Audience
The training resources are intended for training leaders, communicators and experts from the food system including:
- Government agency officials, spokespersons, communication staff
- Food system industries and associations
- Extension specialists
- Subject matter experts, scientists, researchers
- Public health and health care staff
Core Contents
The Risk Communicator training has been designed to be presented in 10 instructional hours or two days. The curriculum may be adapted, abridged or expanded depending on the needs of the learners. The content is organized into 5 instructional modules:
Module 1: An Introduction to Risk Communication
Module 2: Food Defense and the Psychology of Terrorism
Module 3: Message Development and Delivery
Module 4: Preparedness and Planning
Module 5: Media Relations
Training Components:
Instructional materials provided include:
1. Trainers Guide:
- Learner outcomes
- Content outline with suggested discussion questions, activities, readings
- Glossary of terms
- Suggested readings and resources
- Content contributors and reviewers
2. PowerPoint Slide Sets
3. Participant Handouts and Exercises
4. Food Defense Scenarios (TBD)
5. Risk Communication Preparedness Guide: Framework for developing a risk communication preparedness plan for your organization (Module 4)
Additional resource materials developed by project collaborations will posted in section following Module 5. Included in this section is a "Message Clipping File" that contains message excerpts taken from real-life food and public health risk events.
The Training Modules and Additional Instructional Resources sections will be updated quarterly.
For feedback and comments concerning the training content and materials contact:
Email: ncfpd.umn.edu
Tel: 612/624-2614
Fax: 612/624-2157
National Center for Food Protection & Defense
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Campus
925 Delaware St. SE, Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55414
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