COVID-19: CAN WE CATCH IT FROM FOOD OR PACKAGING?

The news today included that a factory that makes sandwiches for M&S has had nearly 300 staff out of 2100 tested positive for COVID-19. 

This is a final product manufacturer, on top of several stories now of such outbreaks in butcheries at the start of the food chain.

We have to ask whether we can catch COVID-19 from our food, whether it is ‘fresh’ meat, packets of sandwiches, or whatever?

In the USA, the Food and Drugs Administration has been known by pharmaceutical companies for being tough on safety (unlike its President).  The FDA also has a responsibility for food safety, and their webpage on COVID-19 says:

"Is the food supply safe if food workers are exposed to or sick from COVID-19?
 

The U.S. food supply remains safe for both people and animals.

• There is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19 regardless of the status of the worker in a plant.
• FDA does not anticipate that food products will need to be recalled or be withdrawn from the market should a person that works on a farm or in a food facility test positive for COVID-19."

The UK's Research and Innovation web page says:

"SARS-CoV-2, [the virus that causes COVID-19 disease], like many respiratory viruses, mostly spreads between people through small droplets released from the nose or mouth of an infected person. These droplets can either be inhaled by people nearby or can land on clothing or other surfaces and lead to virus transmission when the surfaces are touched by uninfected people. Studies have so far shown that SARS-CoV-2 can survive in air, droplets for as long as three hours and on some hard surfaces for up to three days."

"Infectious virus could be detected on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on plastic for at least 72 hours.  Whilst it can take at least this period of time to get from factory to shelves, packaging can be handled by shop workers and other customers."

Whilst in a shop it is therefore important:

• Not to touch your mouth nose or eyes whilst shopping (for which a mask helps), and
• For everyone to sanitise their hands on arrival in a shop. It I a pity that not all shops provide sanitiser, nor wipes for basket and trolley handles

The CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA says:

"It is possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object, including food or food packaging, that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes."
 
"After shopping, handling food packages, or before preparing or eating food, it is important to always wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry."

Personally, I wash my hands as soon as I get in from a supermarket, and again once I have put packets away.


IN CONCLUSION

The main way it is believed that COVID-19 spreads is through the air.  But food and packaging is also a potential source.

It looks as if we don’t need to worry about what’s going on the factories.  But packaging can be contaminated by handling by shop staff, other customers and delivery personnel. For the recent outbreak in New Zealand, "Authorities are exploring the possibility that the virus arrived on packaging in cold storage"

All customers should use a proper hand sanitiser on entering any shop, but especially shops selling food.  Customers should also sanitise handles of baskets and trolleys before use, in case a previous customer has been infectious.  Shops should provide appropriate sanitiser and wipes.  In my experience some shops do, some don't.

I haven’t heard that it is worth disinfecting packaging that comes into your home.  But if you are shielding that is something worth considering.  But certainly wash hands both before and after putting packages away.