Web-based training module from FDA.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed ALERT: Food Defense Awareness. This training module provides stakeholders with the information they need to begin thinking of ways of preventing intentional food contamination within their scope of control. ALERT is also intended to raise the awareness of state and local government agencies and the food industry with respect to food defense issues. The course can be used by FDA investigators; other federal, state, and local regulatory agencies; and industry operators and managers.

The course trains users to

* describe the five parts of the ALERT initiative,

* list examples of preventive measures that can be taken to protect business and industry from intentional food contamination,

* identify several elements that can become part of a continuous improvement plan, and

* increase awareness among personnel in the food industry and encourage them to adopt practices that help protect the food supply.

The ALERT training module is available at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/alerttoc.html. For questions about ALERT, contact Marion Allen at [e-mail] or at [phone].