Crisis Management Days

Food Safety Challenges in Flood Events: Lessons Learned from the 2026 Floods in Coimbra, Portugal

Ana Lúcia Baltazar

COIMBRA HEALTH SCHOOL - POLYTHECNIC INSTITUTE OF COIMBRA

Susana Paixão

Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços, S. Martinho do Bispo, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal.

Keywords: Food safety, Floods, Crisis management, Public health, Risk communication, Coimbra

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Abstract

Flood events represent a growing public health concern due to their impact on food safety systems, particularly in urban environments with complex supply chains. In 2026, the city of Coimbra, Portugal, experienced significant flooding episodes that disrupted food distribution, storage, and hygiene conditions, raising concerns about contamination risks and foodborne disease outbreaks.

This study aims to assess the impact of flood events on food safety practices and to identify vulnerabilities within local food systems during emergency situations. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining field assessments and analysis of official incident reports.

The results indicate that flooding led to multiple food safety hazards, including microbial contamination due to water intrusion, temperature control failures during power outages, and inadequate risk communication to both food handlers and the public. Small-scale food businesses and informal supply chains were identified as particularly vulnerable. Additionally, gaps were observed in emergency preparedness plans, especially regarding food safety protocols and inter-agency coordination.

The study highlights the need to integrate food safety more explicitly into disaster risk management frameworks. Key recommendations include the development of targeted guidelines for food businesses during floods, improved training for emergency responders, and strengthened communication strategies to mitigate public health risks.

These findings contribute to the broader understanding of cascading risks in crises and support the development of more resilient and adaptive food safety systems in the face of climate-related disasters.

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References

Official Reports acessed in: https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/coimbra-critical-flood-situation-mondego-river-level-flow-rate-above-safety-level/

Official Reports and Plans by Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (APA) acessed in: https://www.infoagua.apambiente.pt

Marques J. A. et al. (2018): "Impact of Sediments and Constructions on River Flooding in Coimbra, Portugal," 13th International Conference on Hydroinformatics

Physical and Human Factors of the Mondego River Flood (2022): Research covering the history of floods between 1200 and 2021, distinguishing between pristine and regulated flow regimes