The COVID 19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of food security in times of crisis. In a recent article published in the journal 'Current Research in Food Science', an international team of authors, including ATB scientist Oliver Schlüter, calls for improved, robust agricultural production and food chains. All actors along the entire agricultural and food chain, including political decision-makers, are called upon to act.

The COVID 19 pandemic has highlighted the fragility of the food sector. Restrictions on the free movement of workers and goods are disrupting the food production. The associated logistics and food-related services are equally affected.

In a recently published article, scientists warn that this crisis should not be regarded as a one-time incident. Environmental catastrophes and climate change could increase the incidence of zoonotic or other human infections, the frequency and intensity of disease cycles could increase due to high population density and easier global transport. It is important to adapt to this and to prepare agricultural production and food supplies for these times of crisis. All actors along the food chain, including political decision-makers, are called upon to take action.

The article has recently been published open access in the journal 'Current Research in Food Science'.

Bakalis, S.; Valdramidis, V.P.; Argyropoulos, D. et. al.: Perspectives from CO+RE (2020): How COVID-19 changed our food systems and food security paradigms. Current Research in Food Science 3:166-172 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crfs.2020.05.003)

Contact: Dr.-Ing. habil. Oliver Schlüter