FOOD SAFETY

Guidance on the FSSC scheme with respect to PAS 223 section 18: Food defence, biovigilance and bioterrorism 
Food Safety System Prerequisite Program PAS 223:2011 in Manufacture and Food Packaging
Competence criteria 
Bioterrorism is one of the potential hazards that, just like all of the other potential hazards need to be addressed in the manufacturers Hazard Analysis. The auditors have to review if this has been done and if effective control measures are in place. There are no additional qualification requirements required for the auditors. 

Where relevant the auditor shall have knowledge of the PAS 96 which gives guidance as to 
be able to deal with applicable issues properly. 

Method for Auditing 
Biovigilance and Bioterrorism has to be audited within the scope of the certificate. Where 
relevant the auditor shall have such knowledge as to be able to deal with these issues 
properly. 
Guidance on the FSSC scheme with respect to PAS 223 section 16: storage and 
transport 
Storage and transport are not part of the FSSC scope as a stand alone activity. However 
manufacturers have to address it in cases where it is part of the organizations own process 
and when they have agreements with external transport and storage companies. CBs have 
to review if the manufacturer has addressed this effectively. The PAS 223 covers 
requirements for storage and transport and to ensure related food safety risks are addressed 
effectively in the manufacturer’s food safety management system and that CB’s cover this in 
the audits. 

Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 96 provides guidance to food businesses of all sizes and at all points in the food supply chain – from farm to fork. It provides guidance on approaches to the protection of business from all forms of malicious attack including ideologically motivated attack and the procedures to mitigate and minimize the impact of such an attack.
PAS 96:2010 Defending food and drink provides guidance and good practice for food businesses of all sizes and at all points in the supply chain. It is intended to be of particular use to managers of small and medium sized food enterprises who may not have access to specialist advice.
The food and drink industry is naturally vulnerable to attack but highly resilient. The main generic threats are malicious contamination with toxic materials, sabotage of the supply chain and misuse of food and drink materials for terrorist or criminal purposes. A successful attack could disrupt business and undermine brands, and could lead to illness and death. Even the threat of an attack could be problematic.
Reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience can be achieved by greater control of access to materials, processes, services and premises, and by undertaking regular review, and this revised edition of PAS96 offers guidance on deterring, detecting and defeating malicious attack on food and drink supplies.
Food businesses will be able to use the guidance in the context of an effective food safety management regime such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) or the Red Tractor. This PAS assumes and builds on effective operation of such protocols.
Source: 
 Download Free Copy PAS 96: 2010