Food defense: Perceptions and attitudes of Brazilian dairy companies

This study aimed to evaluate the perception of Brazilian dairy processors (n = 31) concerning food defense. The results showed that respondents consider the implementation of control procedures related to facilities, products, materials, and individuals as important measures in food defense. The higher agreement rates (strongly agreed + slightly agreed) of the companies in relation to the perception of food defense were 84% for external security, followed by personnel security (82%), generalities (81%), and internal security (74%). Thus, protecting facilities and controlling the traffic flow were considered to be the most important actions under the participants' perspectives. Employee satisfaction and identification of end products and raw materials are also considered relevant in the food defense program. Although food defense is not a formal requirement in Brazilian law, the results show that there is adequate awareness of this topic by the Brazilian dairy companies.