Updated June 17, 2021, 5:13 p.m
For Assistance or Questions
If you have specific questions around the response of food processing or food safety to COVID-19, please reach out to our experts:
Donald Schaffner, PhD
Extension Specialist in Food Science
Rutgers University – Food Science Department
Donna Schaffner
Associate Director: Food Safety, Quality Assurance & Training
Rutgers University – Food Innovation Center
Recent Articles
6/17/21 Email Security and Cyber Security
6/15/21 Meat plants not subject to new COVID-19 workplace safety rules
6/9/21 CDC June 8 Updated Guidance for masks and vaccination in the workplace
5-13-21 CDC Updated Guidance for “When you’ve been fully vaccinated”
4/22/21 Importance of Covid-19 Vaccinations for Essential Workers
4/19/21 What You Should Know About the Possibility of Covid-19 After Vaccination
2/11/21 Improve the Fit and Filtration of Your Mask to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19
12/10/2020 Winter Holiday Travel
9/21/2020 Food processor fined by OSHA for failure to protect workers from COVID-19
8/19/2020 Five Mistakes NOT to Make When Holding Online Meetings
8/10/2020 German Study Brings STEC-Contaminated Flour to the Forefront
8-7-2020 Small Business Food Defense Inspections Delayed, but Compliance Now in Effect
8/1/2020 FDA’s New Era Blueprint: “Exploring,” “Encouraging,” and “Enhancing”
7-21-2020 NJ & NY Look Out! Downward trends for COVID-19 = Increased likelihood of FDA Inspections
7-9-20 Food Export Restrictions because of COVID-19
6/21/2020 Non-contact Temperature Assessment Devices During the COVID-19 Pandemic
5/19/2020 Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2
5/15/2020 DOJ Continues Food Safety Indictments
5/11/2020 Food of Animal Origin do not carry COVID-19 when properly handled and cooked.
5/1/2020 CDC Guidance for Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
5/1/2020 Returning to the Workplace: Post-Pandemic Considerations
4/29/2020 Are Antibacterial Soaps More Effective Than Regular Soap?
4/27/2020 Moving Product Online: Marketing to Homebound Consumers
4/24/2020 Steam Clean Checks Out for N95 Sterilization
4/16/2020 CDC-Water and COVID-19
4-16-2020 Facts from CDC — Disinfecting Your Building or Facility
3/18/2020 Do You Have a COVID-19 Response Plan in Place?
3/17/2020 Coronavirus in the workplace: What employers need to know
Rutgers Resources
New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Disasters & Emergencies
Rutgers Universitywide COVID-19 Information
Other University Resources
Cornell University Food Industry Resources
North Carolina State Extension for Retail Food Environment and Farms
General Information & Resources
10/8/2020 The Proposed Traceability Rule: Recordkeeping and Exemptions
9/10/2020 UPDATED CDC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESTAURANTS & BARS
CDC COVID-19 website (many resources: basic information about COVID-19, including how it spreads; situation updates; information for specific audiences: communities, schools, businesses, healthcare professions, health departments, travel, laboratories)
FDA COVID-19 website (continuously updated)
CDC Use of Protective Face Coverings to Reduce Spread of COVID-19
LSU NCBRT/ACE has created a 6-minute video, “CDC Sequence for Donning and Doffing PPE,” that walks viewers step-by-step through the guidelines prescribed by the CDC for donning and doffing a gown, mask/respirator, face shield, and gloves.
Viewers may watch the video directly on YouTube or complete the Request Form below to receive a downloadable copy of the video to share in your organization.
YouTube video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xy00pLT9M4&feature=youtu.be
Downloadable video Request Form link: https://ncbrt.formstack.com/forms/covid19_cdc_ppe_video
You may also find all COVID-19 related training material at: https://www.ncbrt.lsu.edu/
State Department Travel Advisories
NJ COVID-19 Scenarios and Benefits Available for Workers
Getting Your Workplace Ready for COVID-19 (World Health Organization)
Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers (CDC)
Resources and News for NJ Food Industry Employees and Businesses
6/1/2020 Buy NJ – Support Local Businesses
5/31/2020 CDC Resuming Business Toolkit
5/26/2020 NJEDA Announces $50 Million Expansion of Grant Program for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
NJEDA COVID-19 Economic Relief Package
An extensive compilation of NJ resources and guidelines by NJ Food Council
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development – Division of Unemployment Insurance
Food Industry Job Postings
State of NJ COVID-19 Jobs & Hiring Portal
NJDOL Benefits and the Coronavirus (COVID-19): What Employees Should Know
CDC Guidance for Conserving and Extending Filtering Facepiece Respirator Supply in Non-Healthcare (4/24)
Cloth Face Coverings for Retail Employees
COVID-19/Novel Coronavirus Information for New Jersey Businesses
SBA Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
Updated news for New Jersey Food Businesses
AIB Business Solutions for COVID-19: Checklists, Webinars, and more
COVID-19 Resources for the Food Industry (The Acheson Group)
Coronavirus: Fresh Produce Industry Resources (United Fresh Produce Association)
Coronavirus Resources (Food Marketing Institute), includes: Preparedness Checklist; Coronavirus and Pandemic Preparedness for the Food Industry (member only resource; includes recommendations for supporting consumers, associates, human resources, retail stores, distribution centers/transportation, product suppliers, and interacting with the media).
FDA COVID-19 website: Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
FDA: Guidance for Industry: Temporary Policy Regarding Preventive Controls and FSVP Food Supplier Verification Onsite Audit Requirements During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
FDA Food and Cosmetics Information Center
FDA has added food-specific FAQs to its website (continuously updated site),
4/14/2020 Summer Fancy Food Show is Cancelled
4/17/2020 CDC What to Do When A Food Processor Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
Other Resources
CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases (Journal): Detection of Novel Coronavirus by RT-PCR in Stool Specimen from Asymptomatic Child, China; discusses the ability to detect COVID-19
Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) Coronavirus Website – Resources
Food Safety Magazine: Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and Food Safety: A Time for Facts, Not Panic
Food and Environmental Virology (Journal): Survival of Respiratory Viruses on Fresh Produce
For older articles on COVID-19 response, please see our archived articles on this topic.