PAS 96:2026 – Updated Guidance on Food Defence
PAS 96:2026 provides guidance for food businesses on assessing, managing and reducing the risk of deliberate threats that could compromise food safety, authenticity or supply continuity. Using a Threat Assessment Critical Control Point (TACCP) approach, it helps organisations identify vulnerabilities and implement proportionate controls to deter, detect and respond to malicious acts.
The 2026 edition is a full revision of PAS 96:2017 and reflects an evolving threat landscape. Key updates include:
- Greater recognition of cyber threats
- Lessons learned from Covid-19-related supply chain disruptions
- The potential impact of climate change on food systems, and
- Emerging risks associated with sustainability and food waste reduction initiatives.
The revised document also incorporates recent food defence case studies, updated cybercrime information, refinements to the TACCP process, and a restructured format with practical tools and checklists consolidated into Annex D.
We are delighted to see both the Food Authenticity Network (FAN) and, one of our Partner organisations, the Food Industry Intelligence Network (fIIn) referenced within PAS 96:2026, recognising the important role that collaboration, intelligence sharing and access to trusted resources play in strengthening food system resilience.
Access a free copy here.
The reference to PAS 96:2017 in the 'tools-guides-reports' section of FAN's Food Fraud Prevention pages has also been updated.
