COVID-19 questions relating to consumers
Through illness, community and national lockdowns, and economic downturn, the COVID-19 pandemic has turned the lives upside down of billions of people globally. Here are answers to some questions about the COVID-19 pandemic related to consumers.
Can I get COVID-19 from food?
There is currently no evidence that people can catch COVID-19 from food or food packaging. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness and the transmission route is through person-to-person contact and through direct contact with respiratory droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Can the virus live on the surface of foods (including fruits and vegetables, frozen foods, pre-packaged foods)?
Coronaviruses cannot multiply in food – they need a live animal or human host to multiply and survive.
How to wash fruits and vegetables?
Washing fruit and vegetables with potable water is sufficient.
Can the virus live on the surface of food packaging? How long? Is it necessary to disinfect?
It is not necessary to disinfect food packaging materials, but hands should be properly washed after handling food packages and before eating.
How long is it to cook food? To what temperature to kill the virus?
The virus is not more resistant to heat than the usual viruses and bacteria found in food. As recommended for good hygiene practice, foods should be thoroughly cooked to at least 70°C.
What precautions should consumers take in grocery stores?
Consumers should maintain a safe physical distance of at least one metre from all other shoppers and staff while queuing before entering the store and while shopping in the store. If a trolley or basket is used while shopping, sanitise the handle before and after use. Hands should be sanitised before entering the store. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette while in the store. Avoid touching mouth, nose or eyes during shopping. Minimise direct hand contact with food by using available tongs and serving utensils. Use contactless payment rather than cash/notes (where feasible).
Is food/grocery delivery safe?
Yes, if the provider follows good personal and food hygiene practices. After accepting food/grocery deliveries, hands should be washed with soap and water.
What is the best household disinfectant for surfaces?
Regular household cleaning and disinfection products will effectively eliminate the virus from household surfaces. For cleaning and disinfecting households with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 illnesses - surface virucidal disinfectants, such as 0.05% sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and products based on ethanol (at least 70%), should be used.
Is it still safe to go to food markets? Animal markets? Wet markets?
It should be safe provided it is possible to maintain a safe physical distance of at least one metre from all other shoppers and staff, it is possible to wash/sanitise hands, and that Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Hygienic Practices (GMP/GHP) standards are maintained in the market.
Because the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, some of the information may have changed since this article was last updated. Get the most up-to-date information from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation websites.
Source: World Health Organisation