Program Summary

The National Center for Food Protection and Defense (NCFPD) was officially launched as a Homeland Security Center of Excellence in July 2004. Developed as 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 takes a comprehensive, farm-to-table view of the food system, encompassing all aspects from primary production through transportation and food processing to retail and food service.

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, including supply chain management, logistics, epidemiology, risk assessment, economics, molecular biology, food microbiology, biomedical engineering, toxicology, and risk communication.

In delivering on its mission to defend the safety and security of the food system through research and education, NCFPD places a high priority on addressing potential threats to the food system that could lead to catastrophic damage to public health or the economy. Specific goals of the program include:

  • Significant improvement in supply chain security, preparedness, and resiliency
  • Development of rapid and accurate methods to detect incidents of contamination and to identify specific agent(s) involved
  • Application of strategies to reduce the risk of foodborne illness due to intentional contamination in the food supply chain
  • Development of tools to facilitate recovery from contamination incidents and resumption of safe food system operations
  • Rapid mobilization and delivery of appropriate and credible risk communication messages to the public
  • Delivery of high quality education and training programs to develop a cadre of professionals equipped to deal with future threats to the food system.

Over 150 experts from academia, private sector research organizations, professional organizations, state and federal government agencies, and the food industry are currently involved in NCFPD's research and education program. Academic collaborators include the University of Minnesota, Michigan State University, University of Wisconsin–Madison, North Dakota State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and investigators from over 30 other universities. Nearly all NCFPD research and education projects involve students and research trainees.

Research Teams & Capabilities

NCFPD's research teams are organized thematically. Twenty-eight research and education projects, based on collaborative efforts across multiple teams and organizations, are currently underway in these areas:

Agent Behavior - developing innovative detection, decontamination and inactivation technologies using research on the fundamental behaviors of select chemical or biological agents in food.

Event Modeling - developing dynamic, real-world models of both food contamination events and public health responses. These models rapidly identify sources of contamination, food distribution points, and possible outbreak locations, and can also demonstrate interventions and responses using novel communication systems and actual data from food distribution; food consumption, and epidemiologic studies.

Systems Strategies - establishing innovative prevention, response, and recovery strategies to minimize both the probability of a terrorist attack on the food system, and the resulting health and economic consequences. Systems Strategies continues to develop approaches to prioritize interventions and countermeasures based on their economic utility, including complementary benefits beyond food defense.

Risk Communication - developing best practices for active engagement of multiple audiences in effective risk communications prior to, during and after potentially catastrophic food bioterrorism incidents.

Education - NCFPD’s educational program is thematically overarching, focusing on enhancing expertise in food defense through the development and expansion of specific programs of study for graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral students, and mid-career professionals in the public and private sector. The program is aimed at educating current and future leaders and developing critical expertise in food defense through various programs of study.

Advisory Groups

EXTERNAL BOARD OF ADVISORS (EBA) - Provides strategic oversight and guidance to NCFPD in support of its mission.

INDUSTRY WORK GROUP (IWG) - Senior food industry officials and public health leaders provide the Center with essential real-world expertise, guidance, and feedback.

Leadership

  • Shaun Kennedy, Director
  • Francis (Frank) Busta, PhD, Director Emeritus

Disclaimer

This research was developed under DHS Science and Technology Assistance Agreement No. 2007-ST-061-000003 awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It has not been formally reviewed by DHS. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Homeland Security does not endorse any products or commercial services mentioned in this publication.