Norovirus and Coronavirus Risks in Food Service Settings: A Systematic Review for Future Research

This study discusses norovirus- and coronavirus-related health risks, foodborne illnesses, and outbreak risks associated with food and personal hygiene in the food service industry. Norovirus and coronavirus are global concerns. Employing a systematic review, the study focuses on the epidemiology of the viruses, including risk factors, possible transmission stages, and food safety regulations and practices. It is clear that the health risks related to norovirus have not received much attention from food service and hospitality management scholars. However, coronavirus risks and transmission route are well acknowledged by public and food service industry due to the current global pandemic. This study is one of the first studies that presents scholarly research results and discussions on the norovirus and coronavirus risks in food service settings providing implications and suggestions for future research. © 2021 Taylor & Francis.

Adopting a systems view of disrupting crisis-driven food insecurity.

OBJECTIVES: During the COVID crisis, the incidence of food insecurity worsened around the globe. We were reminded that: food insecurity existed before COVID, worsened during this crisis, and will unfortunately be a persistent phenomenon in the post-COVID world. It is evident that to counter this public health threat, systematic changes will need to happen. In this short communication, we introduce the notion of a systems-oriented framework that can guide appropriate actions for us to disrupt future food insecurity crises. STUDY DESIGN: This short communication identifies preliminary observations based on relevant past studies that documented the impact of COVID-19 on food insecurity, and the researchers' conceptualization of a framework on how we may address future crisis-driven food insecurity challenges. METHODS: Systems-oriented framework was conceptualized based on preliminary observations in studies that investigated food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: This short communication explores the notion of a systems-oriented framework as a guide to future action to prevent crisis-driven food insecurity. CONCLUSIONS: The systems-oriented framework emphasizes the importance of action across macro, meso, and micro levels, and synchronization to maximize synergies.

The impact of COVID-19 on destination visit intention and local food consumption. (Special Issue: Features, drivers, and outcomes of food tourism.)

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the relationships between motivation and intention to consume local food and between intention to consume local food and intention to visit the destination of that food's origin while examining the moderating effect of risk perception associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from two samples of potential Chinese tourists in the contexts of Italian and Thai food. Data obtained from 264 Chinese respondents for Italian food and 277 Chinese respondents for Thai food were analyzed. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was utilized to test the research model. Findings: The results indicate that, while motivational factors such as cultural experience, novelty and sensory appeal influence potential Chinese tourists' intention to consume Italian food, motivational factors such as cultural experience, health concern, novelty and sensory appeal influence tourists' intention to consume Thai food. The authors found that intention to consume local food positively influences tourists' intention to visit both destinations (Italy and Thailand). Moreover, tourists' risk perceptions of COVID-19 negatively moderate the effect of cultural experience and novelty on the intention to consume Italian food. Regarding the intention to consume Thai food, the authors found that tourists' risk perceptions have a diminishing effect on all motivational factors. Originality/value: This pioneering study examines the role of COVID-19-related risk perception on the relationships among motivation of local food consumption, intention of local food consumption and destination visit intention in the context of two destination countries. It reveals cross-country differences of the negative effect pertaining to the risk perceptions of COVID-19, which has important implications for international destination marketing.