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Several reports around the world have described coronavirus pathogens in packaged frozen foods as a source of infection. Although the World Health Organization said that transmission of food and food packaging is “highly unlikely,” a recent study from China claims to have found evidence to the contrary.
(Photo: downloaded from Getty Images)
Researchers from the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the South China Agricultural University noted that the virus could survive for up to eight days in food and packaging stored at 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Fish are generally transported at that temperature, which may explain why some cases of infection have been linked to salmon.
With the virus contaminating fish for more than a week, it can easily be the source of international transmissions due to the import and export of salmon and other fish, according to scientists.
The report also indicated that fish are generally stored and transported in low-temperature environments, unlike vegetables and other foods. The virus remains attached to the skin while the fish reaches markets and grocery stores.
Imported food and packaging
One of the first cases of fish-associated coronavirus was in mid-June when traces of the pathogen were found on cutting boards used for imported salmon in Beijing. A young man cleaning frozen seafood tested positive for the virus in the same area.
After further investigation, nearly 150 positive cases were linked to the Xinfadi market, the largest wholesale market in Beijing. Other cutting boards that were not used for imported salmon also tested positive for coronavirus.
At the time, the Chinese Center for Disease Control found no evidence that salmon could harbor the pathogen. Virologist Cheng Gong also said at the time: “All the evidence known so far suggests that these types of receptors exist only in mammals, not fish.”
Since June, Chinese authorities have been investigating other imported packaging, packaging and meat. The customs agency recently reported that six out of hundreds of thousands of samples tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 pathogens.
Another report weeks ago found traces of the virus in frozen chicken wings that arrived in China from Brazil. A surface sample indicated the pathogen after the imported frozen food was examined.
Read also: Are food supplies still safe? Coronavirus Outbreaks at Meat Packing Plants Cause Concerns Worldwide
Frozen virus
In April, the WHO said there was no evidence to indicate that traces of the virus in food and food packaging were infectious. “Coronaviruses cannot multiply in food; they need an animal or human host to multiply, “said the organization.
However, according to Benjamin Cowling of the University of Hong Kong, it is known that viruses can survive in icy environments. In theory, the infectious virus could spread in this way.
Cowling explained that, in reality, that scenario is low risk as the virus would have to survive freezing and thawing. The virus needs a host to survive, so “it would have to get into someone’s hands and then their nose or mouth, and still survive.”
Despite the lack of evidence, the Chinese authorities continue to take safety precautions and have suspended imports from various trading partners.
Read also: Coronavirus may have spread to New Zealand through frozen food packaging, experts say
Check out more news and information about Covid-19 at Science Times.
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