COVID-19 impact on hygiene practices for food safety in South Korea

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the influence of COVID-19 on the perception and behaviours of hygiene practices for food safety in South Korea. STUDY DESIGN: This study employed COVID-19 status (i.e. before or after the outbreak), gender and age groups as independent variables, and perceived relevance and behaviour frequency of hygiene practices for food safety as dependent variables. METHODS: Respondents were asked to answer questions about the perceived relevance and behaviour frequency of hygiene practices before and after the COVID-19 outbreak in an online survey with a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Respondents' perceived relevance and behaviour frequency of hygiene practices increased after the COVID-19 outbreak. This trend was seen in both genders and across all age groups. In addition, the enhanced perception that hygiene practices are related to food safety had a strong relationship with following hygiene practices. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that COVID-19 made people more aware of maintaining personal hygiene, leading to a noticeable change in the food safety environment, and subsequently prevention of viral transmission. In particular, the COVID-19 outbreak has influenced the communal eating culture by highlighting good hygiene practices, such as taking individual servings of food from communal dishes and using personal plates.