Introduction:
With millions of infections and significant morbidity and mortality, the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has become a new global pandemic. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, a new member of the family of enveloped, non-segmented, positive-sense RNA (ribonucleic acid) viruses known as coronaviridae, is the culprit behind this outbreak.
Additionally, with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, many misconceptions have also arrived. This emerging virus requires a lot of research to know about its nature, transmission, treatment, etc. From time to time, research has been carried out when new variants emergers. Furthermore, it is a well-known fact that coronavirus is transmitted through respiratory droplets. However, is it possible that one can get COVID-19 infection through food? Can the coronavirus live on food and food packaging? Answers to all these questions will be discussed in this article.
Can the Coronavirus Be Transmitted Through Food and Food Packaging?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is currently no proof that COVID-19 can be spread through food or food packaging. The WHO believes that additional research is necessary to fully understand the origin and transmission of COVID-19, including any potential contributions from frozen food and packaging.
What Does Research Say About Transmission Through Food?
COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory illness that spreads from person to person. It is not a foodborne illness. There is no evidence that consuming virus-contaminated food, drink, or surfaces can cause infection in humans. According to research, the virus is inactivated in the stomach's acidic environment and is therefore unlikely to spread to the gastrointestinal tract and cause sickness. Furthermore, according to the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF), there is no definite evidence that food serves as a significant source or means of COVID-19 transmission.
The reality is that close contact with infected individuals poses the greatest risk of transmission. The greatest strategy is to always practice proper personal hygiene and social distancing. To lower the risk of infection, an individual must wash their hands frequently with soap and water and refrain from touching the face.
What Does Research Say About Transmission Through Food Packaging?
Research has shown that food packaging has not posed any special risk of transmission. Furthermore, how long the virus persists or is detectable on surfaces has not yet been determined. According to studies, it could be a few hours or even a few weeks. This is dependent on the environment's temperature, humidity, and surface type.
The risk of coronavirus transmission through food packaging came to light when China found the COVID-19 virus and traces of its genetic material on imported food items and packaging. However, no one has yet been known to contract COVID-19 via food or food packaging. Further research into frozen food and packaging as a potential source of transmission has been advised by the WHO. Following a review of the scientific literature on food safety and its relationship to SARS-CoV-2, two ICMSF members and co-authors came to the conclusion that there is very little chance of contracting COVID-19 through eating contaminated food or food packaging.
Is There a Recommendation Regarding Washing Food During Corona Outbreak?
It is recommended that before eating, one should wash fresh fruits and vegetables under running water. Avoid washing them with soap, detergents, or other cleaning agents. These cleaning supplies are not intended for use by humans. They might even be harmful to use around food.
What Are The Good Food Safety Practices Recommended in Corona Outbreak?
COVID-19 is thought to have come from animals. It is unlikely that eating meat will result in transmission to people. The WHO advises that raw animal products should be handled carefully to prevent cross-contamination, that items including meat, poultry, and eggs should always be completely cooked, and that meat from sick animals should never be consumed.
Researchers do not consider coronavirus disease a food safety hazard because a true food safety hazard reaches inside the human body along with food into the gastrointestinal tract. There, it causes infection in organs or tissues in the body. An excellent example of this kind of infection is hepatitis A.
Furthermore, there is a difference between food hazards and food safety risks. This means that it is not necessary that the presence of an infectious agent in a food will definitely cause infection. Because no evidence has proven the association between food consumption and coronavirus disease, it is unlikely that coronavirus constitutes a food safety risk. Although there is evidence that this virus was found in food ingredients, food products, and food packages, it was not shown that it caused the infection. Moreover, the virus lives on food, and food packaging tends to lose its viability with the passing of time. Therefore, it is concluded that it is very unlikely that these kinds of contamination would cause viral infection.
Although it has been proved that it is unlikely to get coronavirus infection by contaminated food and food packaging, it has been recommended to the food manufacturers, producers, and the people involved in food handling that they should emphasize following good food hygiene practices. By doing so, they can minimize any chances of contamination.
While being exposed to the novel coronavirus from food cooked or handled by another person is not impossible, it is quite rare. There are some safety precautions that one can take when someone else is handling their food. These measures are listed below.
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While ordering food, the individual should always ensure to wash their hands before and after handling the ordered food. It is better for the individuals to use their own cutlery instead of using the one provided with the order.
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While going out, always go contactless for payments and sanitize hands.
Conclusion:
To conclude, it is very uncommon to get a coronavirus infection via food or food packaging. This infection spreads through inhaling the respiratory droplets from the infected person. The best way to avoid coronavirus infection is to wear a mask and sensitize the hands. While eating outside also, all the safety precautions should be taken.
