Challenges for the food industry in controlling the transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

This article aims to present an updated discussion about the relevant aspects of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in food systems and challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic for food industries. To accomplish this review, data from relevant papers describing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security were retrieved from selected databases. The lessons learned by the food industry after facing the challenges for production, transport, storing, and trading, in order to protect food workers’ and consumers’ health during the COVID-19 pandemic are valuable for possible future epidemics. Managing this economic sector in the post-COVID-19 era is a new challenge. Food industries realized great strides in good hygiene practices that served as quick action tools to prevent dissemination of the virus among workers during food manufacturing and ensured food safety. In addition, lockdown measures in some countries showed the importance of food availability, revealing that food industry and food distribution are activities that cannot be paralyzed. Future studies are still necessary to improve the knowledge on the viability of SARS-CoV-2 in food materials and protection of the food chain against viruses.