Food supply chain security

Chapter 18 Food Supply Chain Security Issues and Implications... 

Importance and Challenges of Food Supply Chain Security... 

In addition, food supply chain security is important because the food supply chain is vulnerable to both unintended as well as intended supply disraption. The food supply chain is vulnerable for mat r reasons. First and foremost, food is susceptible to unintentional dismptions that conld occur via disease (e.g., Asian bird flu), blight, infestation, improper handling, and perishability. Second, the food supply chain is vulnerable to intentional harm. Harl (2002) identified seven general areas of security susceptibility, and five of those areas relate to the agri-food supply chain. Further, on average food travels 1,300 miles from farm to fork (Harl 2002) which creates a ready-made distribution channel for rapid and widespread disruption (Bmenuner 2003). 

While security is impoitant in any supply chain, the food supply chain is an important subset to protect. A safe food supply is a primaiy foundation upon which society is built Not only is food of importance to the general population, but it is also important to the economic well-being of a country. Agricultural products, and their related industries, significantly contribute to the economic welfare of the United States through the creation of jobs and exporting opportunities (Rand Corporation 2003). 

Rice and Caniato (2003) discussed the emerging expectations with respect to supply chain security when they described the need for creating both secure supply chains (e.g., supply chains that maintain advanced security processes/procedures) and resilient supply chains (e.g., supply chains that are able to react quickly and restore operations when unexpected sruptions occur). Given the widespread nature of the food supply chain, creating both a secure supply chain as well as a resilient supply chain is of utmost importance. 

Beginning in 2005, a research team at Michigan State University embarked on an initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the National Center for Food Protection and Defense (http //www.ncfipd. utnn.edu/), to examine best practices in security management within the food industry. Given the emerging nature of supply chain security and the lack of existing security frameworks, exploratory interviews were conducted in order to better understand the characteristics and current status of supply chain security in the food industry. 

The higher the number of supphers and customers the more technical efficiency in terms of elechonic data interchange that is reqirired (BLL-Online 2001). The level to be reached will depend on (re-)traceabihty efforts and the costs versus benefits from risk management soluhons. Enterprises parhcipahng in the same value chain should negohate which data source should be us for what kind of information to best meet requirements for delivery traceabihty, informahon readiness and acceptable security of the food supply chain. 

The example of the textile chain demonstrates (i) how much the techni-cal/aesthetic quality of products and chemicals-related product security are interdependent and (ii) what requirements exist for a quality management system beyond the supply chain level. Only the major brands can take this initiative on a global scale. For cosmetic, medical devices and food products, as well as technical products with high safety requirements (such as aircraft), management systems beyond supply chain level have now become a matter of survival. The same holds true for products that are subject to special waste and design regulations in Europe (such as automotive vehicles and electronic equipment). 

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