Alcohol gel, soap, bleach. The high risk of transmission of the New Coronavirus has significantly increased the use of these products in recent months. For consumers more and more suspicious, the concern with hygiene at the time of shopping increased greatly during the pandemic. However, the trend is that this behavior will continue in the post-COVID scenario - mainly in the food sector. Therefore, care with food safety must be redoubled.
But what does it mean food safety?
The concept refers to the adoption of practices that aim to guarantee the quality of the food, from handling to consumption, to avoid that it offers risks to the consumer's health.
It is worth remembering that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), so far there is no evidence of contamination by the COVID-19 virus through meals. However, reinforcing good hygiene practices when preparing, handling and selling food is an important precautionary measure - even to prevent other infections.
What to do as a consumer?
A recent study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, indicates that the New Coronavirus is able to survive up to 72 hours in certain materials, such as plastic and steel. For this reason, consumers must be vigilant to prevent packaging and contact surfaces from becoming vehicles for transmitting the virus. For that, here are some tips:
At the time of shopping
First of all, remember to clean the shopping cart with gel alcohol and to clean your hands whenever you touch products, surfaces and other people. Also, be careful with some practices when choosing exposed foods: avoid talking, laughing, coughing, sneezing and touching your face.
Another tip is to start shopping for non-perishable products. Leave to pick up items that cannot be left without refrigeration last. Always observe the appearance and texture of the food to make sure it is in good condition. It is worth remembering that fresh items - such as fruits and vegetables - should not be consumed if their parts are damaged.
In the case of industrialized products, it is necessary to pay attention to the expiration date and check that the packaging is sealed and in good condition - if it is not crushed or stuffed, for example.
Last but not least: pay attention to the conditions in which the utensils and place for preparing food for immediate consumption are located. Also, make sure that people handling food use appropriate masks, gloves, caps and protective equipment.
When you get home
First of all, food and its packaging must be sanitized. After all, on the market, products are exposed to particles and microorganisms that can cause infections - among them, COVID-19. Also remember to clean the surfaces that served as support for purchases.
Whenever possible, change the bags and original packaging of the products. A great alternative to replace them is to use the Alpfilm Zip Lock bag - the only one in the market capable of eliminating 99,96% of the agents that cause poisoning. Another option is to wash the packages with water and detergent or to sanitize them with 70% alcohol, in order to eliminate traces of dust, viruses, fungi and bacteria.
When storing food, most vegetables should be kept refrigerated to prevent them from spoiling easily. The same goes for meats, cheeses, eggs, butter and ready-made items. On the other hand, non-perishable foods and the most resistant fruits and vegetables must be kept in a dry and ventilated place - at room temperature.
Prevention as a market strategy
A 5th edition of the study done by opinion box on the impacts of the pandemic on the consumption and consumption habits of Brazilians showed that, in relation to supermarkets, “54% [of the interviewees] are attentive to the preventive care with COVID-19 that the establishment is taking and 52% consider hygiene an essential factor ”. Thus, intensifying practices related to food safety is also a strategy for companies to be able to meet new market demands, in order to win consumer preference.
With that in mind, we have separated some suggestions that can help commercial establishments - and even the industry - to better deal with this new reality.
# 1 - Worker's health first
In order to reduce the risk of transmission of the New Coronavirus within the workplace, it is the company's responsibility to constantly assess the health status of its employees. In addition, it is essential that there is an immediate removal of the employee in the face of a suspicious case.
# 2 - Reinforced hygiene measures
To ensure food safety, it is necessary to provide the maintenance of the hygiene of the people who handle them. For that, the establishments must offer adequate facilities and products so that employees and customers can wash their hands.
In addition, disinfection of the environment should be done regularly. For this, it is important that surfaces and utensils that come into direct contact with food are also sanitized.
# 3 - Perishable items require extra care
The trade in perishable products (such as butchers and bakeries) must strictly follow the current legislation on the appropriate types of preparation, handling and distribution. In addition, it is important to respect the storage capacity of the refrigerators and to maintain control of the temperature appropriate to the food.
In the case of items provided at the establishment, care must be taken extra care. This is because microorganisms present in the air can contaminate food and create health problems after consumption. To pack products more securely, we recommend using the Alpfilm Protect PVC film. Developed with the same protective shield as our Zip Lock bag, it is able to eliminate disease-causing agents.
# 4 - Follow the measures in practice
Companies must pay attention to ensure that the proposed measures are put into practice on a daily basis. For this, offering the appropriate protective equipment and training so that employees know how to carry them out, in addition to effectively monitoring these actions, is essential.
# 5 - Create transparent customer relationships
To win consumer confidence, hygiene and prevention practices adopted in the commercial establishment must be communicated. To this end, identify the best channels of contact with your audience and take the opportunity to disseminate relevant information.
Even though there is no evidence of transmission of Coronavirus through food, consumers are increasingly aware of the precautions taken by supermarkets, restaurants, butchers, bakeries and other commercial establishments. For this reason, intensify the measures of food safety, more than a form of prevention, is essential for companies that wish to maintain relevance in the market at this time. Did you like the suggestions? Follow us also on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.