Terrorists serving up stomach-churning dishes?
Terrorists may not want to kill you — just make you ill
It’s bad enough air travelers have to worry about terrorists getting on board their planes, but al Qaeda may be turning their ugly plots to turn your stomach. Literally. Is the prospect of poisoned salad bars and hotel buffets serious?
CBS Report mentioned the new threat. “Credible,” responds the Department of Homeland Security (TSA).
Not so, says Joe McInerney, CEO of American Hotel and Lodging Association.
"It isn’t that major of a threat," said McInerney.
CBS said two poisons, ricin and cyanide, could be slipped into salad bars and buffets. Pharmaceutical science professor Susan Ford said using those poisons would create symptoms much like food poisoning.
McInerney said the hotel industry is very aware that it’s considered a "soft target" for terrorists, and is already taking other actions.
In the coming months, for instance, hospitality employers will be able to start including "See something, say something" cards — developed in conjunction with Homeland Security — in its employees’ payroll stubs to report potential problems.
By David Wilkening
David
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