Can You Get Covid-19 From Frozen Food? The Experts Say No.
There has been no cases of people catching Covid-19 from food.
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With news reports mentioning super-spreader strains and clusters that seem to be growing like mushrooms after rain, it’s not surprising that people are becoming extra paranoid about catching Covid-19.
Now, scientists in China are telling us that they’ve detected the virus that causes Covid-19 on imported pieces of frozen food.
Authorities there said they immediately screened everyone who had been in contact with the frozen wings and their relatives: all results came back negative.
So, does this mean we need to be suspicious of our food? Should we think twice before buying a certain produce?
WHO said there’s no need to panic
The World Health Organisation (WHO) emergencies director Michael Ryan told a virtual press conference in Geneva that people should not fear food, food packaging, the processing, or delivery of food as there is no evidence that Covid-19 can be transmitted through food.
Our food, from a Covid perspective, is safe.
Michael Ryan via NST
WHO’s Covid-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove said they are aware of the reports from China, and understand that scientists there were actively looking for the virus on food packaging.
She explained that the scientists in China have tested several thousand samples, and found positive results on less than 10 samples, pointing out that just like most other viruses, the one that causes Covid-19 can easily be killed through proper cooking methods.
We know that the virus can remain on surfaces for some time. If the virus is actually in food – and we have no examples of where this virus has been transmitted as a food-borne, whereas someone has consumed a food product – the viruses can be killed, like other viruses as well, if the meat is cooked.
Maria Van Kerkhove via NST
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