Can the world dramatic pandemic now also be transmitted through food?
According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the infection through contaminated food is unlikely and currently there are no cases in this regard, as was also expected from experience with previous epidemic outbreaks of the Coronavirus family, MERS and SARS.

Currently, there is no evidence of the spread of the virus through shipments of articles from the most affected areas, therefore online purchases of food and other products remain safe.

This explains why EFSA is not currently involved in the response to the COVID-19 epidemic, although it is checking the scientific literature for any new information.

With regard to food safety, the World Health Organization (WHO) reiterates the importance of abiding by precautionary recommendations which include good hygiene practices for handling and preparing food –which are essential regardless of this emergency situation: wash your hands well and frequently, cook meat thoroughly and avoid cross-contamination between cooked and raw food.

More information is available on the WHO website at this link.

Source: EFSA