Food regulations amid COVID-19

Food hygiene is an essential part of the health and nutrition response to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Under the present circumstances of the Coronavirus pandemic, the food we consume, and the environment in which we eat needs to be of the highest quality in terms of hygiene. Owing to the highly transmissible nature of the virus, hygiene standards and safety measures have made their way to the top of the priority list.

Here are some food regulations to make sure that the food consumed is safe and hygienic.

• Staff training

Educating the staff and keeping track of their hygiene and safety is the first step to food safety. Hence, the primary focus has been on providing ample protection and training for the staff who handle the food in terms of cooking, packaging, and delivery. Brands dealing with food and beverages are now offering WHO-prescribed training to the staff handling the food and sufficient safety gear such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Delivery partners and kitchen staff should be continually trained in best practices of respiratory hygiene, proper method, and frequency of washing hands as well as identification of COVID-19 symptoms. In addition to the stringent measures taken to educate and protect staff, those who work in kitchen operations should also be strictly advised to adhere to social distancing regulations while preparing the food.

• Modify menus for immunity

With major reliance on one's immunity against the virus and recover swiftly if infected, boosting immunity has taken precedence. Apart from such stringent measures taken to ensure there is no contamination in any way, brands are also altering the menu choices. There has been an increase in immunity-boosting foods/ingredients such as garlic, turmeric, ginger, and lime making their way onto the menus offered by food vendors.