Wiley Handbook of Science and Technology for Homeland Security, 4 Volume Set

DECONTAMINATION AND DISPOSAL OF CONTAMINATED FOODS

M. ELLIN DOYLE, SEUNG HAK LEE, CRAIG H. BENSON, AND MICHAEL W. PARIZA

University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

1 INTRODUCTION

Widespread contamination of the food supply with a hazardous agent would be an effective way for a terrorist to induce panic in the general population and cause great economic losses. Food processing and distribution have become more centralized, such that contamination in one plant may result in multistate and even international outbreaks of illness as occurred in 2006Yndash;2007 with spinach contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7, peanut butter containing Salmonella, and pet food with melamine. Food companies have developed procedures for recalling foods containing undeclared allergens, foreign material, or pathogenic bacteria but may not be equipped to handle large volumes of foods containing a terrorist agent. Such an event could present a substantial waste disposal problem for landfills and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as well as for public health authorities. Representatives from disposal facilities, food companies, and government agencies participated in three meetings and voiced concern about a variety of issues that need to be addressed.

2 OVERVIEW

2.1 Agents

Disposal options for contaminated foods will be determined to some extent by the nature and concentration of the agent and its expected fate in landfills and wastewater treatment systems. Potential biological and chemical agents ...