The role and importance of food industry and food systems during the COVID-19 and the possibility of cold plasma technology for inactivation: a review

Abstract

This article reviews the role and importance of food systems during the COVID-19 outbreak, the impact of this pandemic on the food industry and chain, and examining the methods and possibilities of using cold plasma technology to deal with this pandemic. Since food plays an essential role in human health as an integral part of human life, food safety is critical in such cases. It is essential to adopt practical strategies in controlling the COVID-19 crisis. In the current situation, several methods are used to disinfect and control the spread of disease, some of which are ineffective and can also have problems and limitations. Therefore, emerging technologies such as cold plasma (CP) technology can help facilitate the control process and reduce pandemics. The capabilities of this method are disinfection of food, equipment, production surfaces, and indoor with poorly ventilated spaces of SARS‐CoV‐2 through aerosol microdroplets, which can remain in the air for a long time; such as public transportation, production lines, and restaurants where the possibility of transmitting the SARS‐CoV‐2 is high. On the one hand, this review summarizes all available data related to cold plasma technology as an emerging technology to inactivate SARS‐CoV‐2. It then gives us a brief explanation of the role and importance of the food industry and food supply chain during the pandemic.