Currently, there is no evidence that Covid-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging.
However, it is always important to follow good hygiene practices when handling or preparing foods. You should always wash your hands and surfaces often, separate raw meat from other foods, cook to the right temperature, and put food in the fridge as soon as you can.
Food shopping advice
• Don’t go shopping if you have COVID-19 symptoms. You can order your groceries online, or have family or friends drop them off instead.
• When you go food shopping, you should wash your hands before you leave the house, avoid touching your face when you are out, and follow social distancing.
• When you return home, you should wash your hands straight away. Wash them again once you have unpacked and put away your shopping.
• It is not necessary to sanitise the outside of food packaging. While there is some evidence that the virus can survive on hard surfaces, the risk from handling food packing is very low and there is no evidence that the illness can be transmitted in this way.
• If you are sanitising surfaces or shopping bags, follow the manufacturer’s instructions about how much time is needed before wiping the sanitiser off.
• Gloves can give a false sense of security. They would need to be changed very frequently to be effective. It is better to wash your hands often and avoid touching your face.
Frequently asked questions
When I bring my grocery shopping into my home, could it be contaminated with the Coronavirus? What do I have to do to make sure it is safe?
While there is some evidence that the virus can survive on hard surfaces, the risk from handling food packing is very low and there is no evidence that the illness can be transmitted in this way. However, you should always put away your shopping as soon as you get home, especially perishable foods which must be stored in the fridge or freezer.
If I deliver food to a relative in isolation, what do I have to do it make sure it is safe?
Firstly, if you show any symptoms, you should not offer to deliver food. If you can, follow the food shopping advice above, and it might be best to leave the shopping at the door.
I have heard that sanitisers can only be used three or four times and then hands must be washed properly in hot soapy water. Is that true?
Thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water is best, but hand sanitisers are a good option when you don’t have access to soap and water, such as when you are out and about.
Can I wash my hands with cold water and soap? Is that adequate?
The temperature of the water is not that significant. The most important thing is that you wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and dry your hands thoroughly afterwards.
I am cocooning and I am worried about the safety of the food being left at my doorstep.
Always put away food as soon as you can, especially perishable foods which must be stored in the fridge or freezer. While there is some evidence that the virus can survive on hard surfaces, the risk from handling food packing is very low and there is no evidence that the illness can be transmitted in this way. However you should wash your hands once you have unpacked and put away your shopping.
Should I wipe down/clean all food packaging coming into my house?
It is not necessary to sanitise the outside of food packaging. While there is some evidence that the virus can survive on hard surfaces, the risk from handling food packing is very low and there is no evidence that the illness can be transmitted in this way.
You should follow the food shopping advice above and wash your hands before and after you go food shopping, and after you unpack your shopping.
Should I wear gloves when handling food packaging when unpacking it from a shop?
Gloves would need to be changed very frequently to be effective. It is better to wash your hands often and avoid touching your face.
When out food shopping, should I wear gloves and wipe down the basket/trolley I am using?
Gloves can give a false sense of security. They would need to be changed very frequently to be effective. It is better to wash your hands, or use hand sanitiser, and avoid touching your face.
Many shops are providing sanitiser to wipe trolley handles, as this is a high contact surface.
