COVID-19 and Food Safety FAQ

— Written By
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

question: IS CORONAVIRUS A FOOD SAFETY ISSUE?

answer: CDC and USDA are not aware of any reports at this time of human illnesses that suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging. However, it is always important to follow good hygiene practices (i.e., wash hands and surfaces often, separate raw meat from other foods, cook to the right temperature, and frigerate foods promptly) when handling or preparing foods.

question: IS FOOD IMPORTED FROM COUNTRIES AND STATES AFFECTED BY COVID-19 AT RISK OF SPREADING COVID-19?

answer: Currently, there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with imported goods and there are no reported cases of COVID-19 in the United States associated with imported goods.

question: IF AN EMPLOYEE AT A FOOD ESTABLISHMENT BECAME INFECTED WITH CORONAVIRUS, WOULD THE FOOD PRODUCED AT THAT FACILITY BE SAFE TO EAT?

answer: Food establishment personnel who are ill with COVID-19 or any other illness should be excluded from work activities that could create unsanitary conditions (i.e. coughing or sneezing on product).

COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets that can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby.

question: CAN I GET SICK WITH COVID-19 FROM TOUCHING FOOD, THE FOOD PACKAGING, OR FOOD CONTACT SURFACES, IF THE CORONAVIRUS WAS PRESENT ON IT?

answer: Currently there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19. Coronaviruses need a living host (animal or human) to grow in and cannot grow in food. Like other viruses, it is possible that the virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on surfaces or objects.

question: HOW SHOULD FOOD BE HANDLED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?

answer: As always, follow good hygiene and food safety practices when preparing food:Purchase food from reputable sources Cook food thoroughly and maintain
safe holding temperatures Use good personal hygiene Clean and sanitize surfaces and equipment

Additional information about COVID-19 and food safety