COVID-19 Impact on Pharmaceutical Packaging in Chemicals and Materials Industry

COVID-19 Impact on Food Certification in Food and Beverage Industry

  • Food & Beverage
  • Jul 19, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the whole planet with its major impacts on the economy and businesses across the globe. The COVID-19 spread worldwide in unprecedented ways due to its high infectious and contagious nature and lack of availability of its vaccine. As a result, the greatest medical challenge in the 21st century is yet to be faced by physicians worldwide. Though the emergence of the virus can be traced back to Asia, many European countries along with the U.S. have been struck massively by the pandemic. The virus has spread across all regions ranging from North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa up to South America. The COVID-19 has been declared as a pandemic by World Health Organization (WHO) due to its increased spread across the globe. After the declaration of the pandemic, various countries announced the complete lockdown such as India, China, and other Asian countries to decrease its spread. According to the situation report of 7th June, 2021 by WHO stated 174 million cases of the corona have been reported globally and 3.7 million patients are dead due to the coronavirus. On a slightly positive note, a total of 157 million people have recovered and total of 1.9 million vaccine doses have been administered as well

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the food and beverages industry due to the surged demand and consumption for food and beverages. Though, some of the sectors in the food & beverages industry have been impacted either positively or negatively due to the COVID-19. The food certification market can have the positive impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. The COVID-19 pandemic was initially introduced in the humans due to the consumption of contaminated food so this can be termed as a foodborne illness as well.

Factors such as the growing awareness of the environments of food processing facilities as well as building environments that is used in food production and distribution, such as spaces for handling retail food are leading to growth of the food certification market.

The demand is increased for the food certification as many governments of various countries are taking precautionary measures on the food safety and its quality.

With the increase in the global food trade and the expansion of manufacturing units for processed food products, the growers are focusing on ensuring the safety and quality of their food products. However, food operations are affected around the globe due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact on Demand of Food Certification Market

Although the tension of COVID-19 has clearly been notices in the sector, there were a couple of points that acted as a light at the end of the tunnel.  Post COVID -19’s first wave, global food certification market is growing as people are getting more aware regarding the food safety. People these days highly prefer certified and premium products in order to lead a healthy lifestyle.

 Food certification is the way and confirmation to the efficient production of safe, quality products. The food industry increasingly subject to scrutiny, testing to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and to protect public health, is a must. Even before COVID-19 the importance of food certification was preferably there but during the pandemic as the awareness of food safety and hygiene has been increased, not only in urban but in rural areas as well. Consumers have started looked after the safety and well-being of their family, which includes adjusting the way they shop for groceries and the types of food products they are purchasing. Thus, consumers prefer laboratory tested and certified food products as it gives quality and safety

In this COVID-19 situation considering the rapidly changing market landscape, companies are changing their perspectives on expanding beyond traditional markets. In addition to focusing on widening applications, introducing new product portfolios, most of the food and beverage companies are planning to capture domestic and international markets, which will directly increase the growth of the food certification market.

For Instance,

In October 2020, GFSI issued an updated position on mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on GFSI-recognised audits and certification. This new position was designed to provide clarity on the options available to certified organisations and those seeking certification for the first time, when full onsite audits may not be possible.

Thus, the growing demand of certified food products is expected to surge the demand of food certification market.

Impact on Supply of Food Certification Market

The lockdown restrictions implemented by government across the globe in 2020 and even the continuing restrictions in 2021 has been disrupting the supply chain. This is expected to pose huge challenges for food product manufactures and could negatively impact the growth of food certification market.

However, the complex supply chains increase the chances of food contamination due to improper handling. Therefore, there is increased demand for food certifications among retailers, manufacturers and growers which offers benefits to the food supply chain, such as it manages safety risks, offers preventive and corrective measures to food safety management, and reduces or eliminates the risk of food recalls.

The global food certification market is quickly reaching back to its pre-COVID-19 levels and a healthy growth rate is expected over the forecast period.

Strategic Initiatives Taken by Manufacturers

COVID-19 outbreak has affected every sector in the market which also includes food certification market. The industry has been severely affected due to the disrupted supply and demand in some cases. Many companies are losing their key revenue sources as food services outlets are closed or have been noticing reduced sales. Some companies have closed their production facilities to mitigate potential risks from COVID-19. Many food certification companies are taking initiatives during COVID-19.

For instance,

  • “Global standard for food safety has been developed to specify the food safety, quality, and operational criteria required to be in place within a food manufacturing organization to fulfill obligations about legal compliance and protection of the consumer. Food businesses that are certified to the standard must have a full understanding of the products it produces, manufactures and distributes, and have systems in place to identify and control significant product safety hazards. The standard has two key components; senior management commitment and a hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) based system, which provides a step-by-step approach to managing food safety risks. With all this in mind, businesses that are used to the standard are well positioned to identify, assess and act on the new risks associated with COVID-19”

                                       -Jessica Burke, GFSI   

  • Eurofins is offering testing for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in a growing number of countries around the world. Global capacity is increasing daily as Eurofins teams are working round the clock to deliver results in very short turnaround times and often within 12 to 24 hours. In each geographical region, Eurofins laboratories are working closely with public health authorities and following their priorities to support hospitals and medical professionals fighting this unprecedented health crisis.”                   

                                       - Gilles Martin, CEO, Eurofins Scientific

  • ALS provides routine analysis services to test critical environmental surfaces for the presence and persistence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Test results are intended to help monitor and strengthen the effectiveness of disinfection and sanitation measures, particularly after outbreaks or positive tests in a business, care home, or public facility.”           

                                       - ALS Limited

These initiatives could help restore the food certification market. 

Pandemic has taken a toll on every aspect of life, including the global economy. With the significant downfalls in many sectors, a collaborative effort of government, industry players, and consumers can win the fight against COVID-19.

COVID-19 outbreak has affected every sector in the market which includes food certification market. Some companies have closed their production facilities to mitigate potential risks from COVID-19 which has hampered the global food certification market. However, the increasing demand for certified food products is expected to boost the global food certification market in forecasted period.

In the current scenario, it has become important to boost the immunity to fight coronavirus, along with maintaining hygiene and following all medical advisories that have been laid down. Even the guidelines provided by World Health Organization (WHO) in its COVID-19 analysis, suggests that the world population should consume immunity-boosting foods.

Increasing awareness among consumer regarding healthy diet to maintain strong immune system is projected to boost the growth of global food certification market for long period due to changes in the consumer buying behavior and changes in the dietary habits. Hence, the global food certification market is growing as; people are more inclined to buy certified food products. 

Thus, the impact of COVID-19 is positive for the food certification market across many nations, and hence the growth is increasing for the industry during coming years, with many opportunities are coming for the food certification.

Conclusion

Pandemic has taken a toll on every aspect of life, including the global economy. With the significant downfalls in many sectors, a collaborative effort of government, industry players, and consumers can win the fight against COVID-19.

COVID-19 outbreak has affected every sector in the market which includes food certification market. Some companies have closed their production facilities to mitigate potential risks from COVID-19 which has hampered the global food certification market. However, the increasing demand for certified food products is expected to boost the global food certification market in forecasted period.

In the current scenario, it has become important to boost the immunity to fight coronavirus, along with maintaining hygiene and following all medical advisories that have been laid down. Even the guidelines provided by World Health Organization (WHO) in its COVID-19 analysis, suggests that the world population should consume immunity-boosting foods.

Increasing awareness among consumer regarding healthy diet to maintain strong immune system is projected to boost the growth of global food certification market for long period due to changes in the consumer buying behavior and changes in the dietary habits. Hence, the global food certification market is growing as; people are more inclined to buy certified food products. 

Thus, the impact of COVID-19 is positive for the food certification market across many nations, and hence the growth is increasing for the industry during coming years, with many opportunities are coming for the food certification.