No Evidence to Support Coronavirus Spread by Food

As COVID-19 cases have become more prevalent throughout the country, there is an increased risk for everyone, including people who work with food in grocery stores, as well as food operations. This past week, two meat processing facilities had to suspend operations when several workers became ill with the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, there have been isolated cases where grocery store workers have become ill. This issue leads many to ask about the risk this virus poses with the food we buy. The answer is the risk is very minimal.

According to both CDC and the FDA, there is no evidence to support the transmission of COVID-19 associated with food or food packaging. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and the Coronaviruses are generally spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets. Studies have demonstrated the low survivability rate of these coronaviruses on surfaces, so there is a very low risk of spread from packaged food products that are shipped and stored over a period of days or weeks. Coronaviruses have been shown to survive at freezer temperatures; however, it is still a low risk in that freezer foods are rarely, if ever, handled by bare hands. Additionally, modern freezers have defrost cycles that provide a drying or desiccation effect, which can be detrimental to the virus.

Nevertheless, consumers should always take food safety precautions when handling food, including washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before eating.  Other food safety practices are important, including cooking food to the correct temperature with a properly calibrated thermometer, proper cleaning and sanitizing of food surfaces, and holding foods at the correct temperature, with refrigerated food stored at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less.

In this time of the COVID-19, it is also important to disinfect surfaces that may have been touched by others. Is there a need to disinfect the outer packaging or surface of the foods we buy, especially if another shopper is carrying the virus? Again, this scenario has not been identified as a source of COVID-19 infection and thus, the risk would be very low. However, if one wants to further reduce their risk, food items can be stored for a day or longer before using, or non-porous surfaces can be wiped down with a disinfecting wipe. However, the most important control measure for this virus is frequent and proper handwashing.

When it comes to shopping for food, it is important to remember to practice social or physical distancing, as well as wiping down commonly-touched surfaces, such as shopping cart handles with a disinfecting wipe. Grocery stores and farmers' markets have implemented several controls to keep shoppers safe. These controls include limiting the number of shoppers in a store at any given time and following spacing procedures at the register.  Shoppers need to obey these procedures for their own safety, as well as the safety of others.  

CDC now recommends that people wear face coverings in public venues. While face coverings are not foolproof measures for COVID-19 control, the coverings can limit the spread of aerosols coming from the mouth and nose. Aerosols from those individuals carrying the virus are a major concern for COVID-19 spread, so reducing their emission will go a long way to reducing the risk for others in the same space. Finally, it's important to remember that person-to-person spread of the COVID-19 virus, from someone who has the virus to someone who doesn't, is the largest risk for transmitting this respiratory virus.