Can Covid19 Be Spread By Food?

If you are foodie, this is probably a question that has been burning on your mind. According to the Health Canada website, there are no reported cases of Covid19 being spread via food. However if you are eating takeout there are a few precautions you must keep in mind:

• Use common cleaning and disinfection methods to kill coronaviruses. 
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food and food packaging. If you do not have running water, use one of the approved hand sanitizers. 
• Wash your fruits and vegetables under running water.
  • Washing fresh produce with soap, chlorine or other chemicals is not recommended. Fresh produce is porous and can absorb chemicals that are not intended for you to eat. 
• Cook your food to recommended safe internal temperatures. Coronaviruses are killed by normal cooking temperatures.
• Avoid cross-contamination of raw and ready-to-eat or cooked foods.
• Disinfect any surfaces that will come in contact with food.

If You Are Grocery Shopping Be Sure To Use These Tips To Keep You Safe:

• Use hand sanitizers at the entrance of the store, if they are available.
• Bring your own clean reusable grocery bags (if permitted) or consider using bags provided at retail.
• Keep your distance from other people while shopping (at least 2 arms lengths, approximately 2 metres). 
• Avoid touching items you are not going to take. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. 
• Use hand sanitizers when exiting the store, if they are available. 
• Wash your hands when you get back home.
• Put away your groceries, especially items requiring refrigeration.
• Wash your hands after handling food and food packaging.
• Use proper food handling and cooking practices

Personally I have been shopping with a mask and eyewear. The eyewear is more of a reminder to myself to not touch my face. 

If You Are Ordering Food Home Keep These Tips In Mind:

• Use contactless payment whenever possible:
  • key fob 
  • pay online 
  • tap and go 
  • mobile payments 
• Ask for contactless delivery if available. Have your food dropped off at the doorstep. 
• Keep your distance from the delivery person (at least 2 arms lengths, approximately 2 metres). 
• Wash your hands after handling the delivery. 
• Put away your groceries, especially items requiring refrigeration.
• Wash your hands after handling food and food packaging. 
• Use proper food handling practices.

For more information please visit:

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/

https://www.publichealthontario.ca/

Stay Health And Be Safe!