China: Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) on fruits

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Mar 14, 2022 - Foods

China: Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) on fruits

In China, the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, was detected on packaging of fruits from Vietnam and Taiwan, leading to tightened import restrictions. As early as September last year, imports, particularly of dragon fruits from Vietnam, were repeatedly suspended in China due to coronavirus findings.

Organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) or the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) do not see a direct problem for food safety when coronaviruses are detected on food and packaging (Link: https://www.bav-institut.de/de/news/Aktualisierte-Fragen-des-BfR-zum-neuartigen-Coronavirus-Ergaenzung-aufgrund-der-WHO-Untersuchungen). The detection of virus residues or viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) indicates previous contamination. It is assumed that neither food nor food packaging are transmission routes for SARS-CoV-2 viruses, and that the viruses do not multiply in food and cannot cause illness in people who touch the affected food or packaging.

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Further links:

BAV Institute: Coronavirus no food hygiene problem 

BAV Institute: Coronavirus is not transmitted via food

Sources: 

Food & Hygiene by Behr's Verlag, Hamburg; Issue 02/2022, pages 21/22

BfR - Federal Institute for Risk Assessment: https://www.bfr.bund.de

Link: https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/343/can-the-novel-coronavirus-be-transmitted-via-food-and-objects.pdf