Public Health Lewisham produced a briefing for community groups and foodbanks operating during the Covid-19 crisis. Their briefing details how to maintain these standards, detailing advice on preventing the spread, food hygiene, food collection, social distancing and waste disposal.
What you need to know about coronavirus and food
The government has published guidance for consumers on Covid-19 and food on their website. It includes:
- It is very unlikely that you can catch coronavirus (COVID-19) from food.
- Cooking thoroughly will kill the virus.
- COVID-19 is a respiratory illness. It is not known to be transmitted by exposure to food or food packaging.
- Everyone should wash their hands regularly with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds, to reduce the risk of illness.
- It is especially important to wash hands before handling food or eating.
More guidance and resources
GCDA have produced this guidance for community projects cooking and delivering food during this Covid-19 crisis.
This advice by the Food Standards Agency is for individuals, community groups and foodbanks delivering and preparing meal, you can read more advice for food safety and delivery here.
Food redistribution labelling guide
This checklist highlights the essential labelling-related requirements for safely and legally redistributing surplus food, and the additional requirements when freezing food to be redistributed.
Nourish Guidance Scotland have some good guidance for community food projects.
Download and print their useful guidance on:
Food Safety for Community Cooking and Food banks
Bulk freezing of ambient and chilled
foods
Risk assessment templates are available here.
