Can You Get Coronavirus From Food?

03/12/2020

Concerns about coronavirus have all of us taking extra steps to protect ourselves and those around us. 

One question we’ve seen a lot is whether or not you can get coronavirus from food. Coronavirus is a respiratory virus that most commonly spreads from person to person through droplets. 

The virus is not spread through food. 

However, practicing good food safety can help reduce your risk of spreading the disease. The Centers for Disease Control advises that before you eat or prepare food, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.  

It may be possible to get COVID-19 by touching a surface – such as a table or sandwich wrapper – that has the virus on it and then touching your face. In this way, it is possible to be infected if the virus lands on food that you touch and put in your mouth. However, this is not believed to be the main way the virus spreads. 

What does that mean about food or products that come from areas with high rates of infection? 

“In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from food products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient, refrigerated, or frozen temperatures,” the CDC states. 

COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that originated in China. It is still safe to enjoy your favorite takeout – you can’t get coronavirus from eating Chinese food.  

Many of us will be avoiding crowds and spending more time at home, which means preparing more meals. Following food handling guidelines is always important to keep your family safe from food borne illness. If you’re stocking up on food supplies, here are some tips for refrigerating and freezing food. 

Coronavirus is not spread through food. You should always wash your hands before you eat or handle food.

• tags:
• health,
• food safety,
• coronavirus,
• virus,
• food borne illness