Impact of COVID-19 on food behavior and diet in Qatar: A cross-sectional survey on the Omicron variant.

This article examines the impact of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 on consumers' food-related behaviors in Qatar, based on an online survey conducted in late 2021 and early 2022 with 459 respondents. Findings indicate that during the Omicron wave, Qatari consumers shopped less frequently but purchased larger quantities per trip, increased their use of online platforms for grocery and ready-made food purchases, and showed a heightened preference for healthy and immunity-boosting foods. Additionally, dining out and eating at others' homes decreased, while food waste declined, reflecting evolving consumer awareness of food safety and pandemic-related risks. The study highlights demographic influences on these behaviors and suggests implications for food industry stakeholders and policymakers to better prepare for future crises affecting food systems.