![Coronavirus and food. How to prevent pollution? Q&A [EXPLAINED]](https://healthy-food-near-me.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/coronavirus-and-food-how-to-prevent-pollution-qa-explained-920x425.png)
Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Food is not a source of coronavirus transmission, argues the European Food Safety Authority. However, it may become contaminated. How to prevent it? Here are the most important recommendations.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a position paper which shows that there is no scientific evidence that food is the source or transmission link of the COVID-19 coronavirus. However, the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate emphasizes that in order to maintain the microbiological safety of food, it is necessary rigorous adherence to the basic rules to prevent contamination of food products, also during distribution and sale.
GIS reminds you that a virus needs a host – a human – in order to reproduce. If it is on the surface of food items, careful heat treatment will destroy it. The virus dies at 60 degrees Celsius within 30 minutes. You can get rid of it from surfaces where it can survive for several hours thanks to standard household disinfectants.
The main route of infection is contact with the secretions of an infected person. Hand hygiene is essential in preventing food contamination.
When do you need to wash your hands? Recommendations for workers in the food sector
GIS emphasizes that people working in the food industry must always wash their hands:
- before starting work,
- before contact with food intended for direct consumption (cooked, baked, fried),
- after processing unprocessed (raw) food,
- after contact with waste (garbage), cleaning and disinfection,
- after using the toilet,
- after contact with money,
- after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose;
- after eating, drinking or smoking.
People who have respiratory symptoms such as coughing and sneezing are not allowed to work in food factories.
Entrepreneurs (food producers, shop owners and wholesalers), in accordance with GIS recommendations, should constantly remind all their employees of the applicable rules – not only those who have direct contact with food. It is advisable that they increase the supervision over compliance with hygiene rules, verify internal procedures and increased cleaning frequency for items such as cash registers and tapes, shopping baskets, and handrail handles.
The role of employers is to limit the exposure of unpackaged food, especially bread and cakes, and to ensure that consumer-packaged products are not exposed to contamination (e.g. displaying warning notices can help) and to develop a crisis management plan.
GIS also recommends employers to limit business travel, to enforce hygiene in common areas such as changing rooms, changing rooms, bathrooms, canteens, and to develop an emergency plan.
Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. You will find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers.
How to safely shop for groceries?
Consumers are also responsible for preventing food contamination, so they should remember to refrain from crowded stores and to maintain safe line distances (1-1,5 meters). Hand hygiene is the basic recommendation for all consumers. However, it does not relieve us of the need to use disposable gloves and bags available in the store to pack loose food. Do not touch food intended for consumption without heat treatment with your hands, as well as sneeze and cough near the product.
At home, you need to thoroughly wash not only your hands, but also all countertops and kitchen tools. In addition, remember to separate raw products from those that are already ready to eat.
The editorial board recommends:
- The rest of Europe faces the fate of Italy? Experts warn of an exponential increase in coronavirus cases
- How many Europeans wash their hands after using the toilet?
- How do viruses spread? The most common mistakes
You haven’t been able to find the cause of your ailments for a long time? Do you want to tell us your story? Write to the address [email protected] #Together we can do more