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(CNN) – Food is highly unlikely to be a source of COVID-19 transmission, says a team of food contamination experts.
The International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF) examined the evidence that coronavirus could be present in food or its packaging and found very little.
“ICMSF believes that ingestion of SARS-CoV-2 is highly unlikely to cause disease; there is no documented evidence that food is an important source and / or vehicle for the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, ”the organization said in a statement.
While it’s possible for people to eat something contaminated with the virus and become infected that way, it’s never been seen to happen, they said.
“To date, there has been no evidence that food, food packaging, or food handling is a major source or route of transmission for SARS-CoV-2 that results in COVID-19,” they wrote. “There are no foods that should be considered a risk or that justify its consideration as a vector of SARS-CoV-2.”
There have been few reports of the virus being found in food products, ingredients, and packaging materials, and there is no evidence linking food or its packaging as a source of cross-contact infection. However, it is still prudent to emphasize good food hygiene practices, the group said.
Some countries have restricted food imports, tested imported products, or asked companies to declare their products free from coronavirus, but none of this is necessary, the ICMSF said.
“The focus of food companies should be to protect food workers, consumers and restaurant patrons from being infected by the spread of SARS-CoV-2 from person to person,” they wrote.
This story was first published on CNN.com: “Food is highly unlikely to be a source of COVID-19 transmission, experts say.”
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