Food an Unlikely Source of Coronavirus Spread

Some good news for facilities that handle food: the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF) has not found any evidence that coronavirus might be carried on food or its packaging, CNN reports. This lack of evidence means it is unlikely that food is a source of COVID-19 transmission.

The ICMSF says there are ” no foods that should be considered a risk or warrant consideration as a vector for SARS-CoV-2.” However, the commission emphasized it is still a good idea to follow good food hygiene practices such as always washing your hands and wearing gloves while handling food, as well as not working when you’re sick.

While some countries have restricted food imports, tested imported products, or asked companies to state their products are coronavirus-free, the ICMSF says none of this is necessary. Instead, the commission says that facilities and businesses that handle food should be focused on protecting workers and building patrons from becoming infected by person-to-person spread of the coronavirus.