The Homeland Security Advisory System creates a national communications network allowing government officials, industry and consumers to communicate information about the nature and degree of terrorist threats. The system characterizes appropriate levels of preparedness and readiness in a series of five color-coded threat conditions. Several protective measures correspond to each threat condition and help government and industry officials decide what actions are necessary.

“Over the past six months the food, beverage and consumer product industry has been in the process of evaluating every aspect of our safety and security systems, from raw materials to product distribution,” said GMA President and CEO, C. Manly Molpus. “The food industry is taking steps to help strengthen quality control and security systems already in place, and to implement new ones where they may be needed. Creating a national framework for communicating potential threats is the logical next step in homeland security.”

Since September 11th, GMA, working with other food industry groups and the federal government, has shared information among food companies to improve security procedures and systems.

“As the Bush Administration has said, alerts help deter terrorist activity,” noted Molpus. “The Homeland Security Advisory System will help industry and government maintain appropriate levels of vigilance to ensure that our food supply is as safe and secure as possible.”

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