COVID-19
General Information
In this section you will find information on COVID-19 (what it is, how it can be transmitted, common signs and symptoms) and how food safety can be managed during COVID-19.
An overview of coronavirus (COVID-19) is provided in this publication outling what it is, how to prevent and slow its transmission and what are the associated symptoms. – World Health Organization (WHO)
Information about the characteristics of the rapidly emerging COVID-19 variants is highlighted in this publication. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) –https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant.html
Guidelines on the types of masks to use to protect oneself and others from getting and spreading COVID-19 and how to choose a mask that fits well and offers the best protection. –https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/types-of-masks.html
General information on when to wear a mask and considerations for specific groups of people are outlined in this resource. –Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). –https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprevent-getting-sick%2Fmasks-protect-you-and-me.html
General information related to hand hygiene in the context of COVID-19 is provided on this page. Resources include posters and documents for FREE download. World Health Organization (WHO). –https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-hand-hygiene-day/2021
The purpose of these guidelines is to highlight additional measures so that the integrity of the food chain is maintained, and that adequate and safe food supplies are available for consumers. This guideline is an update from FAO to the 2020 interim guideline.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) –https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb6030en
Resources
Factsheets
Guidelines highlighting additional measures to maintain the integrity of the food chain, and to ensure adequate and safe food supplies are available for consumers. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO). –https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1
A quick reference to the common face coverings worn by workers in the Food and Agriculture sector and their effectiveness against the transmission of COVID-19 is reviewed in this factsheet. UC Food Safety – University for California, Davis. –https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-during-emergencies/use-respirators-facemasks-and-cloth-face-coverings-food-and-agriculture-sector-during-coronavirus
A quick reference to selecting a masks (including how well it filters the air, and how many layers it has) as well as the do’s and don’ts to consider when fitting on a mask is highlighted in this factsheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). –https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/effective-masks.html
Guidelines highlighting additional measures to maintain the integrity of the food chain, and ensure adequate and safe food supplies are available for consumers are provided in this publication. FAO. –http://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb6030en
Infographics
Inforgraphics and posters related to COVID-19 and the food industry, farmers’ market, handwashing, cloth face coverings and other areas are provided in this publication both in English and Spanish for FREE download. Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University. –https://instituteforfoodsafety.cornell.edu/coronavirus-covid-19/infographics-and-posters/
Inforgraphics related to COVID-19 and food safety and healthy eating during the pandemic are provided here for FREE download. World Health Organization (WHO). –https://www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/covid-19/information/food-safety
Infographics related to COVID-19 and food safety and the food supply chain are provided here for FREE download. Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). –https://www.paho.org/en/documents/4954
Recorded Webinars
The webinar focuses on the challenges that have faced (U.S.) state and local food safety systems as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Center for Foodborne Illness Research and Prevention (CFI) at Ohio State University. –https://foodsafety.osu.edu/education-and-training/webinars/webinar-food-safety-everyone%E2%80%99s-business-impact-covid-19-pandemic
Upcoming and past podcasts/webinars providing information on COVID-19 are listed on this website. Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University. –https://instituteforfoodsafety.cornell.edu/coronavirus-covid-19/podcasts-webinars/
Past webinars and recordings related to COVID-19 as well as COVID-19 and food safety are listed on this website. UC Food Safety – University for California, Davis. –https://ucfoodsafety.ucdavis.edu/covid19-food-safety-resources/webinarsrecordings-related-covid-19
This webinar explores the potential risks that have been highlighted in terms of food safety, key learnings across the food supply chain as a result, as well as where the opportunities lie going forward. Fi Global Insights. –https://insights.figlobal.com/demand-presentations/impact-covid-19-outbreak-food-safety-demand-webinar
Videos
Five-part video series on COVID-19 protocols for small fruit and vegetable farms covers basics of transmission, hand washing & PPE, cleaning & sanitizing, maintaining physical distance, and farmers market practices. Local Food Systems Response to COVID-19. –https://lfscovid.localfoodeconomics.com/resources/covid-19-video-series-for-small-farms-in-english-spanish-and-hmong/