Adaptations in hygiene and food handling practices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered food safety and hygiene behaviors. This study used a combined qualitative and quantitative approach to investigate the adaptations of these practices in Brazil during and after the pandemic. Five distinct participant profiles were used for focus groups: homemakers, undergraduate students from various fields, food industry professionals (such as engineers, technologists, nutritionists), healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors, technicians), and vaccinated individuals. Focus groups with 41 participants revealed the adoption of practices such as hand, surface, and food hygiene, among others, during the pandemic, with a subsequent decline. In the quantitative analysis, data indicated that 24% of respondents stated the continuance of hygiene practices in supermarkets after the health crisis, 30% maintained the use of hand sanitizer, and 92% persisted in the hygiene of food when they arrived at home, showing a partial adaptation to these new habits. However, it was noted that most of the practices acquired during the pandemic did not remain perennial after its containment. The research highlights the importance of maintaining good hygiene practices to ensure safe food and prevent future health crises.