What are some precautions to take while preparing food during the COVID-19 pandemic?

As an extra precaution to help avoid the transmission of COVID-19 through surface contact, we recommend frequent washing and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces and utensils. Food-service workers also must practice frequent hand washing and glove changes before and after preparing food.

What precautions should I take while preparing food at home during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Wash your hands, kitchen utensils, and food preparation surfaces, including chopping boards and countertops, before and after preparing fruits and vegetables. Clean fruits and vegetables before eating, cutting, or cooking, unless the package says the contents have been washed.

What are food handling guidelines for consumers during the coronavirus outbreak?

Consumers can follow CDC guidelines on frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; and frequently clean and disinfect surfaces. It is critical to follow the 4 key steps of food safety—clean, separate, cook, and chill.

Can the coronavirus disease be transmitted through food or food packaging?

There is no evidence of human or animal food or food packaging being associated with transmission of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

What are some of the ways that food businesses remain safe from COVID-19?

Food businesses need to ensure adequate sanitary facilities are provided and ensure food workers thoroughly and frequently wash their hands. Soap and water is adequate for hand washing.

COVID-19: Food Safety and Nutrition

Can COVID-19 be transmitted through food?

Currently there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of the coronavirus. It's important to recognize that unlike foodborne gastrointestinal (GI, or stomach-related) viruses that often make people ill through contaminated food, coronavirus is a virus that causes respiratory (breathing-related) illness. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

Is it safe to shop for food during the COVID-19 pandemic?

As grocery shopping remains a necessity during this pandemic, many people have questions about how to shop safely. We want to reassure consumers that there is currently no evidence of human or animal food or food packaging being associated with transmission of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Can I get COVID-19 from food, food packaging, food containers, and preparation area?

Currently there is no evidence of food, food containers, or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19. Like other viruses, it is possible that the virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on surfaces or objects.

If you are concerned about contamination of food or food packaging, wash your hands after handling food packaging, after removing food from the packaging, before you prepare food for eating and before you eat. Consumers can follow CDC guidelines on frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; and frequently clean and disinfect surfaces.

It is always important to follow the 4 key steps of food safety—clean, separate, cook, and chill.

Am I at risk for COVID-19 from touching food or packaging?

Again, there is no evidence of food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19. However, if you wish, you can wipe down product packaging and allow it to air dry, as an extra precaution.

Can I get COVID-19 from a food worker handling my food?

Currently, there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19.

What are the guidelines for proper nutrition during the COVID-19 quarantine?

For optimal health, it is also important to remember to eat healthily and stay hydrated. WHO recommends drinking water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. Limit or avoid alcoholic beverages for adults and strictly avoid these in young people, and pregnant and breastfeeding women, or for other health reasons.

Ensure plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limit the intake of salt, sugar and fat. Prefer whole grains rather than refined foods. For more guidance on how to eat healthily during self-quarantine, please see the Food and nutrition tips during self-quarantine, prepared by WHO/Europe.

What are the risks of food from takeout or drive-thru food?

• There is no current indication that takeout or drive-thru meals will increase illness.
• This option is a good risk management choice, especially for high risk and elderly groups because it reduces the number of touch points.

Is the U.S. food supply safe?

Currently there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19.

Unlike foodborne gastrointestinal (GI) viruses like norovirus and hepatitis A that often make people ill through contaminated food, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is a virus that causes respiratory illness and not gastrointestinal illness, and foodborne exposure to this virus is not known to be a route of transmission.

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. It’s always important to follow the 4 key steps of food safety—clean, separate, cook, and chill.

Are there special precautions to take while eating fresh produce?

• COVID-19 is not known to be caused from eating contaminated food, so safety of fresh produce should not be a concern relative to this new virus.
• Follow good food safety practices whenever preparing, storing, or consuming foods.

What is the safest way to go out to eat during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Picking up food while wearing a mask or having it delivered to your door still remains a safest way to enjoy a meal that wasn't cooked at home. The CDC describes drive-through, delivery, takeout, and curbside pick up options as the lowest risk way to dine out.

Can you contract the coronavirus disease by touching a surface?

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or possibly eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. The coronavirus is mostly spread from one person to another through respiratory droplets.

Can you contract COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces?

People could catch COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces or objects – and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. If they are standing within one meter of a person with COVID-19 they can catch it by breathing in droplets coughed out or exhaled by them. In other words, COVID-19 spreads in a similar way to flu.

Should I avoid touching surfaces when shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Research suggests that COVID-19 is more commonly spread from respiratory droplets passed from people in close contact than from touching surfaces. It is possible but probably less common that those droplets land on surfaces, and then a person gets infected by touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes, after touching the surface (source). Washing your hands with soap and water (or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer) regularly and avoiding touching your face will help with this concern. Another important way to avoid getting the virus while shopping is to wear a mask and stay at least 6 feet away from others.

Is it still safe to receive packages during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, traveled, and exposed to different conditions and temperatures is also low.

How long can COVID-19 survive on surfaces?

Data from surface survival studies indicate that a 99% reduction in infectious SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses can be expected under typical indoor environmental conditions within 3 days (72 hours) on common non-porous surfaces like stainless steel, plastic, and glass .

Should I wash my hands after opening a package to avoid coronavirus disease?

Currently, there have been no cases of COVID-19 in the United States associated with imported goods.Still, to protect yourself, wash your hands after opening the package within the shipping box. Washing your hands regularly is one of the most effective ways to reduce the chances of contracting coronavirus.

Is carry out grocery or getting it delivered at home safe during COVID-19?

Food deliveries and carry-out food Carry-out and delivery are generally considered low-risk activities for contracting or spreading COVID-19, and they are a great way to support your local business community during these difficult times. However, you can take some steps to further decrease the risk.

What steps can I take to minimize risk when shopping at the grocery store during the COVID-19 pandemic?

• Use hand sanitizer when entering stores, and wash hands and/or use sanitizer as soon as possible after leaving.
• Wear a cloth face covering while shopping.
• Try to maintain social distancing as much as possible while shopping.

Should produce be washed before eating during the COVID-19 pandemic?

• Washing produce before consumption is always a good practice.
• Produce should be washed or soaked in cool running water.
• It is not recommended to wash produce with dish soap or any detergent.
• It is not recommended to treat produce with chemical disinfectants at home.

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.