Thread by @CEDRdigital

1/This news of (a)food supply chain disruptions & (b)worker infections at meat processing plants have prompted people to ask if the food supply chain is (a)secure and (b)safe. Two very important topics we’ll tackle separately in the thread below. We’ll begin with the Supply Chain

2/ There are currently several challenges to the supply chain as the linked article points out:
1. Virus outbreaks at food plants are triggering plant closures
2. Agricultural need of guest workers while undergoing a potential wage cut & visa issues

3/ Supply chain mismatches: food sold in bulk to schools/restaurants have no distribution pipeline to supermarkets
4. Increased food insecurity due to job loss of
5. Delivery capacity: lack of truck drivers/distribution to point of point. #COVID19
Link: bit.ly/3bH97iY

4/ Other challenges have also contributed:
-modern supply chains rely on just-in-time ordering and are not equipped to handle global disasters
-single source country products such as PPEs & multi-country sourced products, such as cars/iphones were impacted
bit.ly/2ztkwEK

5/8 Although the above elements have caused panic, the industry is adjusting & “experts [have reassured the public] that the US food supply remains robust despite disruptions caused by #coronavirus.” Vox’s in depth article analyzes this in greater detail: bit.ly/3eObHFO

6/8 Many food experts have shared that the #coronavirus #COVID19 has not shown to be transmitted through food. Still there are concerns when a pork plant closed after 700+ workers contracted coronavirus & poultry production lines have reduced inspections: bit.ly/3cPfpNz

7/8 The concerns about the #Coronavirus #COVID19 #foodsafety have prompted federal agencies to have increased communication with the public to address concerns. Here are some links & graphics that provide official info:
.@USDAFoodSafety
bit.ly/3bDhZWu

8/8 Consumer Reports also addressed readers concerns about this in an article published recently where their Food safety experts answered readers top 12 questions:
consumerreports.org/food-safety/co…