10 things FAO food safety experts explain what is
known so far about COVID-19 and food,
consumers should know about offering advice for when you go food
food safety and COVID-19 shopping
1 Currently there is no evidence that the new coronavirus
that causes COVID-19 can be transmitted by food
The virus is transmitted primarily by people who are infected
coughing and sneezing droplets which are then picked up by
another person. Though the droplets can land on objects and
surfaces, it is not known if this amount of contamination is enough
to make a person sick from food.
2 Coronavirus cannot grow on food
While bacteria under the right conditions can grow on food,
a virus such as the one that causes COVID-19 requires a living
host in order to survive and multiply.
3 The best way to avoid COVID-19 is through good
hygiene habits
Always wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20
seconds after shopping, before handling food and eating and after
using the bathroom. And practice respiratory hygiene.
4 Cooking food to the right temperature is always a
good way to prevent getting sick
Heating your food to the temperatures required to kill pathogens
(70oC for 2 minutes or equivalent) will decrease the risk of getting
any foodborne illness, including those caused by viruses. While there
are no studies on the effect of cooking on this particular virus, other
coronaviruses are destroyed at these temperatures.
5 It is safe to eat raw fruit and vegetables
Currently, there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19
associated with food. Thoroughly wash your fruit and vegetables with
clean water, not with soap or other product, before you peel, cut or eat
them.
6 Handling food packaging is an unlikely cause of COVID-19
Under experimental conditions the virus can survive on a variety of surfaces such as plastic or
cardboard used in packaging, but it is unlikely that this type of exposure would be sufficient to
make a person sick. Always wash your hands after unpacking food, wipe down and disinfect
surfaces and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth when handling food and food packages.
7 Good habits when out shopping
Follow the measures put in place locally, maintain physical distance
from other people when selecting food items and in line. Keep hands
clean and do not shop if you have any symptoms.
8 Thank retailers for providing access to food and
keeping it safe
The world is relying on food vendors for continued access to and
the safety of our food supply. These workers are critical in the
pandemic response, need to stay healthy and protect the food from
contamination.
9 Support food safety efforts in the agriculture supply chain
To protect food from the farm to the store during the COVID-19 pandemic,
agricultural personnel should be considered essential. By protecting their
workers food producers are ensuring a safer food supply.
10 Do all of the above and wash your
hands (again)
Simple as it sounds, hand washing with soap
makes a real difference.
CA8798EN/1/05.20
http://www.fao.org/2019-ncov/en/
©FAO, 2020
MORE INFO
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
