Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and Disease COVID-19: Further Information for Food Companies
Mar 10, 2020 - Foods
Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and Disease COVID-19: Further Information for Food Companies
Transmission of the Coronavirus through food and packaging is unlikely. This conclusion is based on past experiences with other coronaviruses as well as recent studies on the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The virus is primarily transmitted from person to person through droplets and smear infections. The virus is mainly spread by infected individuals through small droplets "which they release into the surrounding area when exhaling, speaking, and especially when coughing and sneezing. The virus contained in the droplets can remain infectious on surfaces for about 48 hours if they come into contact with mucous membranes. Transmission via oral intake is not known.”
The RKI writes in a question-and-answer catalog under the question “Is there a risk of contracting the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) through imported food, surfaces, or objects?“: “A transmission via inanimate surfaces [is] not documented so far. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 through surfaces that do not belong to the immediate environment of a symptomatic patient, such as imported goods, mail, or luggage, therefore appears unlikely.”
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) also continuously extends its question-and-answer catalog entitled: “Can the novel coronavirus be transmitted through food and toys?.” It states: “There are currently no cases that prove people have been infected with the novel coronavirus via other means, such as through the consumption of contaminated food or imported toys. There are also no reports of infections with other coronaviruses through food or contact with dry surfaces. Transmissions over surfaces that have been recently contaminated with viruses are conceivable through smear infections. However, due to the relatively low stability of coronaviruses in the environment, this is only likely for a short time after contamination.”
For questions, our customer advisors are happy to assist.
The question “Can imported goods from regions where the disease is widespread be a source of infection for humans?” is answered by the BFR as follows:
“Based on the transmission routes identified so far and the relatively low environmental stability of coronaviruses, it is currently considered unlikely that imported goods such as imported food or consumer goods and toys, tools, computers, clothing, or shoes could be a source of infection with the novel coronavirus. This assessment also applies after the recent publication on the survival ability of known coronaviruses by scientists from the Universities of Greifswald and Bochum”
Sources:
www.lebensmittelverband.de
www.rki.de
www.bfr.bund.de
www.uni-greifswald.de
www.sciencedirect.com