Are all establishments required to have a functional food defense plan?

A functional food defense plan is not a universal requirement for all establishments that handle food. While food defense is an important aspect of food safety, the federal regulations, specifically those set forth by the USDA, primarily focus on specific sectors and types of establishments.

Certain larger or higher-risk facilities may be subject to more stringent requirements regarding food defense plans, owing to their size or the nature of the products they handle. Additionally, organic establishments may also fall under particular guidelines, but they are not uniquely required to have a food defense plan solely based on their organic status.

The rationale behind this is that while food defense plans are encouraged and beneficial for all establishments, the government has not mandated that every single food establishment must have one in place. Hence, it’s more about assessing risk and being proactive in areas where the potential for intentional contamination is greater.

Overall, the emphasis is on those establishments where the evaluation of risks might necessitate stronger prevention strategies, instead of a blanket requirement applicable to all food-related establishments.