The long-term impact of COVID-19 is unclear, but for now the outbreak has impacted the food industry in a myriad of ways. For meat and poultry processors, there have been significant changes, not only to how consumers buy their food, but also to the way produce is processed and distributed. Hygiene remains a top priority, including the conveying of fresh and processed meat, which marks a critical point in the process to control safety and sanitation.
Despite no reported cases of the virus transmitted by food or food packaging, the USDA highlights the necessity to follow good hygiene practices when handling or preparing foods to protect both the workforce and the consumer. More recently, the US has been rattled with meat plant closures to contain the spread of the virus.