Guide to Pandemic Defence in the Food Business
Eurofins Supports you in Securing your Production Capacity
In addition to the information material provided by official institutions such as the Robert Koch Institute, we provide food-producing companies with a user-friendly guide to pandemic defence that takes into account their specific needs during the Corona crisis. Before joining Eurofins, the authors Dr Anna Fecke and Markus Paul themselves have worked for many years in leading positions in the food industry. Thus, they have profound knowledge in the areas of production, quality management as well as audit and certification.
On this page we always offer you the latest version for download. All additions to the previous version are marked in the document.
Guide to Pandemic Defence in the Food Business*
Find the guide for free download here. (Update as of 15 May 2020)
*Authors: Dr Anna Fecke and Markus Paul, Eurofins NDSC Food Testing Germany
Update as of 15 May 2020
The new version 5 of the guide includes the following additions:
• Update on the IfSG instruction of new employees, as this was not passed by the Federal Council
• Recommendations for protection against infection
• Checking the cleaning agents and disinfectants used
• Information on accommodation for employees of service providers who may be employed
• Supplements for dealing with new hires or for vacation time
Update as of 30 April 2020
The new version 4 of the guide includes the following additions:
• Current announcement on IfSG instruction of new employees
• Instructions for wearing mouth and nose protection and gloves in food businesses
• Additions to vulnerable groups and symptoms
• Additions to the completion of audits and recommendations of the BRC standard
• Notes from WHO publications
Update as of 2 April 2020
The new version of the guide contains the following additions, among others:
• Current options for the IfSG initial training of new employees
• Reference to important aspects when measuring body temperature and reusing protective equipment
• Information on further preventive measures, e.g. blocking individual wash basins, consideration of shared flats and car sharing in the separation of personnel and checking whether suppliers are on the KRITIS list of companies
• Current options for retrieving key personnel from quarantine in an absolute emergency
• Reference to the new Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/466 of 30.03.2020 on dealing with bottlenecks in official surveillance
• Reference to the recommendation for critical infrastructure operators by the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance
Update as of 27 March 2020
It is possible to postpone a planned IFS audit to a later date. In addition, a remote solution has been developed. It is a voluntary, non-accredited solution and only applies to IFS certified companies.
24 March 2020
Tailored to your Needs in Food Production
The guide is based on the recommended measures to contain the virus SARS-CoV-2 and is intended to provide you with assistance beyond our regular services in order to protect your production capacity in the best way possible.
We focus on the topics of personnel planning and monitoring, employee training, handling of third parties as well as internal and external communication about hygiene measures implemented. For economic and labour law issues we refer to resources of the federal and state governments as well as of associations and other institutions.
Eurofins Analyses and Advice Provide Optimal Protection
The global corona pandemic constitutes a major challenge for companies from various industries. As food business operators you have the special role of ensuring that even in crisis situations the population is supplied with food. Maintaining your operations is essential. Therefore, Eurofins supports you with highest-level laboratory and consulting services to monitor the quality and safety of your products.
If you have any questions regarding this guide and possible protective measures for your business, please contact Dr Anna Fecke by e-mail.
You may also be interested in
- Read about the measures we ourselves have implemented to protect our employees and to remain operational for you.
- Would you like to learn more about the detection capacities of SARS-CoV-2 at Eurofins? We have compiled the global range of analyses for the coronavirus for you.
- Please also note our information on the use of disinfectants with QAV in connection with pesticide analysis.
