Templates
Food defense vulnerability assessment template

Food defense vulnerability assessment template

Identify potential vulnerabilities in your food supply chain with this detailed assessment template. It guides you through evaluating risks and implementing protective measures. Use this template to strengthen your food defense strategy.

Use this template with Lumiform

The Lumiform application helps frontline teams uphold internal standards effortlessly.
  • Customize this template or build your own
  • Fill out templates via mobile app
  • Assign and track corrective actions
  • Get reports and analyse your data
Prices start from ░░░ per month
Book a demo
Learn more
or Download template as PDF
Food defense vulnerability assessment template

Identify potential vulnerabilities in your food supply chain with this detailed assessment template. It guides you through evaluating risks and implementing protective measures. Use this template to strengthen your food defense strategy.

Use this template with Lumiform

The Lumiform application helps frontline teams uphold internal standards effortlessly.
  • Customize this template or build your own
  • Fill out templates via mobile app
  • Assign and track corrective actions
  • Get reports and analyse your data
Prices start from ░░░ per month
Book a demo
Learn more
or Download template as PDF

We created this food defense vulnerability assessment template to help you meet FSMA Intentional Adulteration Rule requirements while protecting your products from deliberate contamination. This template walks you through the FDA’s recommended three-element approach to identify significant vulnerabilities in your food processing operations. You’ll evaluate each process step based on public health impact, physical accessibility, and potential for successful contamination.

The FDA emphasizes that properly conducted vulnerability assessments are fundamental to an effective food defense program. When facing a food safety audit or implementing a new food defense plan, this template provides the documentation structure you need to identify actionable process steps and prioritize your mitigation strategies.

Related categories

Preview of the template
Physical Security
Are all entrances and exits secured with locks or other access control measures?
Is exterior lighting adequate to allow for good visibility around the facility perimeter?
Are all storage areas, production areas, and other critical zones restricted and access-controlled?
Is the entire facility perimeter fenced or otherwise secured?
Are visitor and contractor access procedures in place, including check-in, badging, and escorts as needed?
Are surveillance cameras installed and monitored in key areas?
Personnel Practices
Do you have a personnel security program that includes background checks and security awareness training?
Are employee access privileges reviewed and updated regularly?
Do you have a system for reporting and investigating security breaches or unusual incidents?
Are employees trained to be alert for signs of tampering or unusual activities?
Do you have policies and procedures in place for managing terminated employees?
Supply Chain Protocols
Do you verify the identity and credentials of all suppliers and transporters?
Are incoming shipments inspected for signs of tampering or contamination?
Do you have secure storage and handling procedures for raw materials, ingredients, and finished products?
Are traceability systems in place to track ingredients and products through the supply chain?
Do you have contingency plans for responding to a suspected food defense incident?

Frequently asked questions

What is a food defense vulnerability assessment and why do I need one?

A food defense vulnerability assessment systematically identifies points in your food operation where intentional contamination could cause significant harm. You need one to comply with the FDA’s Intentional Adulteration Rule (21 CFR Part 121) under FSMA, which requires covered facilities to assess vulnerabilities, identify actionable process steps, and also implement mitigation strategies to protect food from intentional adulteration.

How does this template help me comply with FDA requirements?

This template guides you through evaluating each process step using FDA-recommended methods—either the Key Activity Types approach or the Three Elements method. It also provides structured documentation of your assessment process, helps identify actionable process steps, and creates the foundation for your food defense plan, all essential components for FSMA compliance and FDA inspections.

How often should I update my food defense vulnerability assessment?

You should review and update your vulnerability assessment at least every three years as required by the FDA, or sooner if there are significant changes to your facility, processes, products, or if new threats emerge. The template makes this review process more efficient by providing a consistent format for comparing assessments over time.

How do I determine if a process step is an “actionable process step”?

Using this template, you’ll evaluate each process step based on vulnerability criteria. For the Three Elements method, you’ll assign scores to each element and calculate a total. Also, process steps with scores exceeding your defined threshold become actionable process steps requiring mitigation strategies, monitoring, corrective actions, and verification procedures.

This template, developed by Lumiform employees, serves as a starting point for businesses using the Lumiform platform and is intended as a hypothetical example only. It does not replace professional advice. Companies should consult qualified professionals to assess the suitability and legality of using this template in their specific workplace or jurisdiction. Lumiform is not liable for any errors or omissions in this template or for any actions taken based on its content.