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05.03.2021 - hygiene

Updated questions from the BfR on the novel coronavirus - Supplement based on WHO investigations

In the latest update of the questions in the Question and Answer Catalog (FAQ) of the BfR (Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) on the topic "Can the novel coronavirus be transmitted via food and objects?", statements on frozen food were added.

The BfR comments on this product area as follows:

"So far, there is no evidence of infection chains of SARS-CoV-2 through the consumption of food, including frozen food, even with the information currently available regarding the WHO investigations in China (https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/covid-19-virtual-press-conference-transcript---9-february-2021).

The corona viruses known so far, SARS and MERS, are insensitive to cold and can remain infectious in frozen status at minus 20 °C for up to 2 years. As a study showed, SARS-CoV-2 had also lost little of its infectivity on frozen meat after 3 weeks. General hygiene rules when preparing food should be observed." (BfR, Supplement on contaminated frozen food, changes compared to the version from November 17, 2020)

Further information on this topic can be found in the BfR Question and Answer Catalog at www.bfr.bund.de.

Our customer advisors are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Source: Circular L-132-2021 of the German Food Association