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.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS for Supplemental Funding 2009/10 (October 1, 2009 – September 30, 2010) Submission Deadline: July 31, 2009 to ncfpd@umn.edu
NCFPD is now considering applications for project funding through a peer-review process. The NCFPD 2009/10 Supplemental Funding RFP identifies research and educational needs in the following areas of food defense: · Agents in Complex Food Matrices · Event Modeling · Systems Strategies · Risk Communication · Education and Programs of Study
For additional information contact: Lisa Brienzo, NCFPD Senior Project Manager, 612.624.2614, brien002@umn.edu
FAS-CAT Release Update
FAS-CAT Version 1.1 is now available for download.
FAS-CAT
live webinar training sessions will be available. If you are interested in participating in this webinar
training, please email [fascat@foodshield.org] for specific information on joining the webinar audience and dial-in information for the linked phone bridge.
Over the course of this month, we have all been dealing with the H1N1 outbreak. While far less severe then the potential pandemic that it may be the precursor of, it has illustrated challenges that potentially catastrophic events pose to our food system. Right now, while perhaps no more serious than seasonal flu, H1N1 has resulted in over 6,000 cases across the United States with at least 9 deaths. In Mexico, where it appears to have been more severe, or perhaps reporting has been more difficult, there are significant economic impacts. Only recently did Canada lift its travel advisory to Mexico. Mexican tourism and food firms are seeing problems with declining revenue and ability to move people and products freely. Here in the United States we have school closures to try and prevent further spread. If we look at what would happen in the case of a potential high morbidity, high mortality pandemic, the impacts on our food system could be quite significant. Consider not school closures, but community closures. Consider plant closures. Consider all the negative impacts that could affect the safe and reliable functioning of our food system through a natural or an intentional introduction of a highly infectious disease. Fortunately so far, H1N1 has been primarily a great practice run for our emergency preparedness efforts. Future research projects will include ones to explore how to better prepare the food system for such disruptive events. For more information on the current outbreak you can look at the following link from FAZD.
FAS-CAT 1.1 
Guidance Document 
Video Tutorial
