Interventions and compliance: How the response to COVID-19 reflects decades of retail food protection efforts

Girvin Liggans; Devin Dutilly; Komita Carrington-Liggans; Mary Cartagena; Charles Idjagboro; Laurie Williams; Glenda Lewis; Mia Russell; Veronica Moore; Robert Sudler

doi:10.5304/jafscd.2020.101.007

Authors

Girvin L. Liggans U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8291-8592
Devin K. Dutilly U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4541-734X
Komita J. Carrington-Liggans Baltimore City Health Department https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7084-7253
Mary B. Cartagena U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA)
Charles E. Idjagboro U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA)
Laurie B. Williams U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA)
Glenda R. Lewis U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA)
Mia B. Russell Johns Hopkins University
Veronica S. Moore U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA)
Robert Sudler, Jr. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2020.101.007

Keywords:

Retail Food Safety, COVID-19, Pandemic, Interventions, Compliance, Decision-making, Hurdle Approach, FDA Food Code, Face Coverings, Handwashing, Policy Debate

Abstract

Preventing the spread of infectious disease relies heavily upon the development and implementation of public health interventions. The requisite debate over the effectiveness of these interventions is accompanied by discussions about which, if any, should be made mandatory. We contend that efforts to mandate interventions in the fight to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have clear similarities to the longstanding efforts to establish and promote retail food safety interventions. Specific similarities are that science is rarely the sole driver in deciding public health mandates and individuals’ responses to them, compliance is key but can be difficult to achieve, and the concurrent incorporation of two or more interventions is a barrier against poor compliance. As these factors have a direct effect on the success of public health mandates, understanding the role and relationships among them can aid government and public health officials in ongoing efforts to prevent foodborne illness and slow the spread of COVID-19.

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Author Biographies

Girvin L. Liggans, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA)

Technical Lead, Retail Food Policy, Retail Food Protection Staff, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition