What does A.L.E.R.T stand for in the context of food safety?

A.L.E.R.T. stands for a food defense system developed by the FDA to help food establishments prevent and address potential threats to the food supply, specifically in terms of intentional contamination. It serves as a framework for food businesses to establish their internal defenses against food tampering, theft, or other malicious acts.

The acronym A.L.E.R.T. includes the following components:

• A - Assure: Make sure that products are from safe and secure sources.

• L - Look: Monitor the facility and the products for suspicious activity.

• E - Employees: Know who is working in the facility to minimize risk.

• R - Reports: Create a plan for employees to report any suspicious activity.

• T - Threat: Identify any potential threats to the food supply.

This approach is critical for maintaining food safety as it emphasizes preventative measures and the importance of being proactive in safeguarding food products from intentional harm. Other choices refer to concepts that do not specifically encapsulate the essence of A.L.E.R.T. as a comprehensive system focusing on food defense against deliberate threats.