Reported Food Defense Measures Practiced in Schools in the United States: A National Survey

Food defense is an emerging area of study of how to prevent intentional contamination of the food supply with chemicals or pathogens by someone with criminal intent. The topic of food defense in retail foodservices, particularly schools, has received limited investigation. This study will assess the risk perception of intentional food tampering of a national sample of school nutrition program directors and will determine the measures taken in school districts to mitigate the risk of intentional food contamination. Phase I of this study will consist of a Delphi panel of 10 to 15 school nutrition program directors representing four district sizes. Phase II of the study will consist of development and electronic distribution of a survey to a national sample of school nutrition program directors. Phase III of this study will consist of on-site observations of food defense practices in a small and a very large district in the Midwest.