Take out food and safety… YES… it is safe!

Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2020 16:55:48 +0000 (UTC)
From: stephanie talbott
Subject: Take out food and safety… YES… it is safe!

I received a flyer re. the safety of take-out food which was reassuring.  I am copying the content of the information below, so I hope others feel safer to support our restaurants and order take-out.  Besides… take a break from all your food preps!!

COVID-19 and Food Safety, flyer from the NC State Extension Service;  go.ncsu.edu/covid-19

CDC, FDA and USDA are not aware of any reports at this time that suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging. Current evidence shows the biggest risk of transmission of COVID-19 is being around individuals who are symptomatic (and to a lesser extent, infected but not showing symptoms.) Food businesses should be following employee health policies and health department recommendations to keep these individuals home.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF FOOD FROM TAKEOUT OR DRIVE-THRU FOOD?
There is no current indication that takeout or drive-thru meals will increase illness. This option is a good risk management choice, especially for high risk and elderly groups because it helps maintain social distancing and reduces the number of touch points.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF FOOD DELIVERED TO HOME?
Similar to takeout, food delivery helps maintain social distancing and reduces the number of touch points between preparation and serving of food. Many delivery programs have also instituted no touch/no interaction options, which further reduces risk.

CAN I GET COVID-19 FROM TOUCHING FOOD OR PACKAGING EXPOSED TO CORONAVIRUS?
The risk of transfer of viruses is very low, based on current research. To further minimize risk, handling food packaging should be followed by handwashing and/or using hand sanitizer.

WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR BODY IF YOU DO INGEST CORONAVIRUS THROUGH FOOD?
If you consume food that is contaminated with coronavirus, your stomach acid should inactivate the virus since it is very acidic (pH 2.0). Even if your stomach acid did not inactivate the virus, there is no evidence the virus causing COVID-19 can start infecting through the gastrointestinal tract. The only possible way to get sick is if, during eating, the virus comes in contact with a specific type respiratory cells. This scenario is highly unlikely and not concerning given what is known about modes of transmission currently discussed regarding COVID-19

(Sorry about the caps… that was formatting from the flyer).

Stephanie Talbott