The first infections of the latest strain of coronavirus were linked to a live animal market in Wuhan, China in December of 2019. With this in mind, the question of whether you can contract coronavirus from food has become a pretty popular one.
So, can you get coronavirus from food or is it safe to continue eating your favourite meals?
Can You Get Coronavirus From Food?
At the moment, there’s no evidence that proves the coronavirus can be transmitted through food [1].
Coronaviruses need a living host (animal or human) to grow, and don’t have the ability to grow in food - this is believed to be the same for COVID-19.
European Food Safety Authority’s Chief Scientist, Marta Hugas, said: “Experiences from previous outbreaks of related coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), show that transmission through food consumption did not occur. At the moment, there is no evidence to suggest that coronavirus is any different in this respect.” [2]
If my food is cooked by someone with Coronavirus, can I catch it?
It might be possible for someone who has contracted the coronavirus to introduce it to food through coughing, sneezing or hand contact, though further research will have to be done to confirm this [3].
As always, it’s important to maintain good hygiene around food, this includes [4]:
- Washing your hands with soap carefully and often, for 20 seconds or more
- Keeping food preparation surfaces clean
- Cooking meat thoroughly
- Avoiding potential cross-contamination between cooked and uncooked food
If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, it’s important to stay at home and call your healthcare provider for medical advice immediately.
Emergency warning signs include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
Some simple steps to take to prevent yourself or a loved one contracting or spreading the virus include:
- Clean your hands carefully and often
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Stay home if you’re sick
- Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue, not your hand
- Wear a facemask if you’re sick
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces regularly
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