Food Vulnerability Assessment

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Tech. Sgt. Michael Bell, U.S. Air Force Food Vulnerability Assessment program manager, speaks with Joe Santiago, Club Eifel chef, about food transportation here May 9. FVAs are performed every three years to ensure all food establishments on base use programs and procedures to prevent and eliminate the contamination of food. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brittney Frees)

Food Vulnerability Assessment

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Tech. Sgt. Michael Bell, U.S. Air Force Food Vulnerability Assessment program manager, speaks with Larry Garrett, Club Eifel manager, about vulnerabilities in the food line here May 9. FVAs are performed every three years to ensure all food establishments on base use programs and procedures to prevent and eliminate the contamination of food. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brittney Frees)

Public health conducts food vulnerability assessment

Published May 12, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Brittney Frees
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Air Force Public Health officials teamed up with the 52nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health Office as part of a food vulnerability assessment here May 9-12.

Food vulnerability assessments are performed every three years to ensure all food supplies and distribution points on base use programs and procedures to prevent and eliminate the intentional contamination of food. The ultimate goal of the FVA visit is to delay, deter, detect and respond to attacks through the food supply against the Spangdahlem community to include active-duty members, civilians and their families due to intentional contamination.

"We look for vulnerabilities that could cause a potential risk to the residents on base," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Bell, U.S. Air Force Food Vulnerability Assessment program manager. "We also need to find low-to-no cost solutions for these vulnerabilities. We do this through evaluating policy and procedural changes."

The assessment looks for the presence of vulnerabilities and corrects them. If vulnerabilities are found, the facility is identified to the antiterrorism officer and it is up to base leadership to determine how long the facilities have to correct them.

"Vulnerabilities in the food supply could be exploited by terrorists, disgruntled employees or other criminals," said Maj. Juan Leon, 711th Human Performance Wing School of Aerospace Medicine public health consultant, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. "It is important to ensure food is properly secured and that protocols are being enforced."

The assessment is part of a larger effort to protect active-duty service members, civilians and their families on Air Force installations.

"The AF public health mission is to prevent disease, disability and premature death," said Tech. Sgt. April Lewis, 52nd AMDS Community Health NCO in charge. "By having the assessment team here, we can ensure our war fighters remain healthy and safe from debilitating food-borne diseases so they can continue their mission."