Addressing both direct threats to humans, including the introduction of anthrax or smallpox, and indirect threats, those introducing diseases to plants and animals, the author examines the state of our food protection readiness. He examines the battle plan against our food supplies and provides a blueprint for defense. Readers will examine what the federal government is doing to protect our food supply, from the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act to the USDA's Homeland Security Council to the Food and Drug Administration's 10-point plan. They'll also examine actual cases of domestic food-related contamination and terrorism and identify potential targets. Using an easy-to-understand approach, the author provides detailed overviews of 46 foodborne pathogenic microorganisms and natural toxins, what the USDA calls "Bad Bugs." Each listing includes the size and shape, source, symptoms, causes, diagnoses, associated foods, and more, for each "bad bug." The author also provides detailed guidelines for taking security measures at each link in the food supply chain. From the farm to the highways, addressing imported, exported, and intracountry food shipments, he identifies everything from the pros and cons of using crash beam barriers on farmlands to the various types of alarms and sensors.

Frank R. Spellman, PhD, is a retired assistant professor of environmental health at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, and the author of more than 136 books covering topics ranging from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to all areas of environmental science and occupational health. Many of his texts are readily available online, and several have been adopted for classroom use at major universities throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Russia; two have been translated into Spanish for South American markets. Dr. Spellman has been cited in more than 550 publications. He serves as a professional expert witness for three law groups and as an incident/accident investigator for the U.S. Department of Justice and a northern Virginia law firm. In addition, he consults on homeland security vulnerability assessments for critical infrastructures including water/wastewater facilities nationwide and conducts pre-Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)/Environmental Protection Agency EPA audits throughout the country. Dr. Spellman lectures on sewage treatment, water treatment, and homeland security and lectures and safety topics throughout the country and teaches water/wastewater operator short courses at Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, Virginia). He surveyed the drinking water ancient distribution system at Machu Picchu and studied Darwin's Finches in the Galapagos Islands. In addition, he studied water pollution in Coco, Ecuador. He holds a BA, in public administration, a BS in business management, an MBA, and an MS and PhD in environmental engineering.