Emerging issues are identified at the beginning of the Emerging Risk Identification process as issues that may merit further investigation and additional data collection. Emerging issues can include specific issues (e.g. specific chemical substance or a pathogen), as well as general issues such as drivers of change (e.g. climate change). Risk management issues resulting from a lack of compliance with existing regulations should be excluded.
SARS-CoV-2 mainly spreads through the respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Therefore, like other viruses, it may reach fresh feed and food products at any phase of the food chain (harvesting, preparation, processing, transport) or food packaging material, when an infected person sneezes or coughs directly on them.