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.

• There is no history of a public health authority advising individuals to stop shopping for food at certain stores due to the risk of respiratory virus transmission.

• Currently, there is no data to suggest that accepting food from an area experiencing this illness 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 washing coupled with sanitizing (using an alcohol-based sanitizer, as per CDC's guidance).

IF WE WANT TO CLEAN AND DISINFECT, WHAT SHOULD BE USED?

• CDC advises using compounds on the list of EPA recommended disinfectants, 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 than for everyday sanitation: 5 tablespoons bleach per gallon of water

For More Information

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

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