Food Supply Attack: Costly, Not Disastrous

Chicago scientists say a terror attack on the U.S. food supply could cause more casualties than Sept. 11 and cost the economy many billions of dollars.

But the scientists at the Institute of Food Technologists say research on consumer diet choices and existing food supply systems indicates terrorists would find it difficult to cripple the nation in the long-term.

The observations were shared in Chicago last week during the National Food Protection and Defense Research Conference.

Experts say more research is needed to determine ways to protect the food supply chain, as well as quickly identifying contaminants, predicting consumer reaction to attack, and on crisis response systems.

But food economists believe the diverse diets of Americans make it difficult to choose a single food to attack that would sufficiently reach every consumer. And the diversity of suppliers producing the same products ensures the likelihood that safe food could still reach consumers.

However, economists admit an assault on the national economy might cost $200 billion or more during the five years following the attack.

The Institute of Food Technologists, which hosted the conference, is a non-profit scientific society with 22,000 members working in food-related professions.