$5650 billion - That much is the worth of food and beverage industry - The global food and beverage industry companies with various segments like processing raw food material, ready-to-eat food, packaged food as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Decrease in restaurants dining

We may witness significant shift of customers from dining in restaurants , public places to in house party, home delivery of food upon that people will prefer cooking at home rather than take away or precooked food.

This may increase in consumption of raw material at consumer level rather than food processing units.

As people are more aware and cautious regarding hygiene due to spread of Corona, they would prefer cooking at home because of many factors such as trust, as they are cooking themselves - Absence of preservatives, artificial flavours and additives, which are known to increase free radicals in human body affecting immunity. 

Increase in machinery and automation

We may witness automation in food and beverage manufacturing plants as well as restaurants where less human interference happens from processing, preparation to packaging resulting increasing involvement of automation and machinery.

As machine would not transmit disease as well as free from human flaws such as hairs, sweat glands, breathing transmissions.

Emerging in use of 3D printers, conveyor belt, robotic waiters

Transparency in supply chain management

Post-Covid-19 there would be increase in transparency of supply chain management to enhance credibility and quality of food from where, when and how food is transported in which physical conditions.

Rules and regulations

Strict food safety and this may be imposed and enforced by the FDA, or possibly even a third-party or private organisation that publishes this information to the community-at-large through the established social channels. 

As restaurant operators, it will be imperative to respond quickly and decisively to any concerns raised through any of these channels in order to avoid the stigma of being considered less-than-committed to the notion of providing a quality product in a safe and clean environment regulatory bodies.

Increase in Alcohol-based Beverages

The worldwide demand for alcohol ingredients is on the rise, particularly in the beverage industry. The demand is governed by the performance quality, their incorporation in beverage applications, and regulations imposed by international and local governments in the production of alcohol ingredients and alcoholic beverages. The main reason can be alcohol can prevent any type of virus or bacteria to cultivate and affect humans.

So demand in few products like Yeast, Enzymes, Vinegar, Citric acid, Sodium bicarbonate and Beer may increase.

Restaurant design changes

As stated previously, nowhere will the impact of Covid-19 have a longer lasting impact than in the table service segment of the industry. Whereas some will come back as loyal customers and a show of support and loyalty, it is expected that a greater number will not, at least initially. Table service restaurants need to look at ways to manage the objections that will likely be raised by customers and do their best to address them immediately.

Some thoughts and strategies to overcome objection would include:

Increased spacing between tables and/or breaking up larger rooms into smaller sections.

Greater access (and visibility) or hygienic products such as wipes and sanitisers on tables and in public areas.

Cutlery, glassware, and plates cleaned at tableside (or brought to the table packaged) for customer assurance.

Removal of salt and pepper shakers and provide either in packets or on demand.

Servers behind the counters in restaurants that offer buffets or salad bars.

Coverings over meal plates that are removed tableside.

Pay-at-table functionality to avoid passing a credit card to a server.

Offering e-receipts in lieu of paper.

Digital menu boards or tablets with anti-microbial screens in lieu of paper menus

(The author is assistant manager at Mcnroe Consumers Pvt .Ltd, Kolkata. She can be contacted at pbsawarkar@outlook.com )