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COVID-19 FAQ for Food Banks: Receiving Food and Cleaning1

Natalie Seymour, Mary Yavelak, Candice Christian, and Ben Chapman 2

This flyer is best viewed as a PDF. It provides guidance for food banks regarding COVID-19. Updated March 30, 2020.

CAN COVID-19 BE SPREAD THROUGH FOOD?

  • Transmission of COVID-19 through food, food packages or even food handlers has not been identified as a risk factor for this illness

  • Evidence suggests it may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces. CDC recommends cleaning followed by disinfection as a best practice for prevention of COVID-19.

IS IT SAFE TO ACCEPT FOOD FROM COUNTRIES OR STATES IMPACTED BY COVID-19?

  • With decades of data related to influenza, another similar respiratory virus, there is no data to indicate that food distribution channels like grocery stores or distribution warehouses are transmission nodes.

  • Currently, there is no data to suggest that accepting food from an area impacted by COVID-19 is a risk factor for disease spread.

SHOULD FOOD PACKAGES BE CLEANED BEFORE THEY ARE USED?

  • Continue routine operating procedures in evaluating the integrity of packaging as well as for any soil are already in place.

  • Follow risk management practices including hand hygiene regimens of handwashing followed by hand sanitizer according to CDC guidelines.

HOW SHOULD CLEANING AND DISINFECTION BE HANDLED?

  • Volunteers and staff should wash hands and use hand sanitizer regularly.

  • Disinfect surfaces like railings, doorknobs, tables, baskets, etc. on a regular basis.

  • Use non-porous plastic tables that can be easily disinfected whenever possible.

  • CDC is advising use of disinfectants on the EPA list, which can be found at: go.ncsu.edu/epacovid-19. (Note: this list is based on current data, but compounds have not been validated for inactivation of the virus causing COVID-19).

  • Bleach may be used to disinfect surfaces, but the concentration is higher for COVID-19 than for everyday sanitation:

    • 5 tablespoons bleach per gallon of water

For More Information

Visit: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov

(800) 232-4636

 

Publication #FSHN20-7

Date:May 20th, 2020

  • Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
Fact Sheet

Contacts

  • Michelle Danyluk