China reports finding traces of coronavirus on packages of frozen shrimp and chicken wings arriving from South America. Can you get it from food packaging? Theoretically, yes. Laboratory studies show that the coronavirus can survive outside the human body for several hours and even up to a day – including on packaging materials, especially cardboard and plastic. It is also more stable in the low temperature conditions under which many products are transported.
However, some experts doubt that these results can be reproduced outside the laboratory. Professor Julian Tan, a lung specialist at the University of Leicester in the UK, says that in the outside world, conditions change so often and so quickly that the virus cannot survive for long. Emanuel Goldman, a professor of microbiology at Rutgers University in the United States, also notes that laboratory studies have used samples containing about 10 million viruses, while, for example, a droplet of liquid released during a sneeze that accidentally lands on a surface contains only about 100 viruses.
“In my opinion, the chances of [coronavirus] transmission through inanimate surfaces are very small. This is possible if an infected person sneezes or coughs on such a surface and someone touches it within an hour or two,” writes Professor Goldman in an article published in the Lancet in July.
Concerns about infection of workers involved in food packaging are based on the assumption that they come into contact with contaminated surfaces and then touch their own eyes, noses and mouths. However, scientists do not believe that this is a significant means of transmitting Covid-19.
“It is not impossible that someone could get Covid-19 by touching an infected surface or object,” according to the Centers for Disease Control website. “But this is not the primary way the virus spreads.” Primarily, it is transmitted directly from person to person – when in contact at a distance of less than two meters – during coughing, sneezing and talking, when invisible particles of saliva from a sick person enter the healthy person’s lungs through the nose and mouth.
Dr. Tan believes that it’s very difficult to prove that someone has been infected through food packaging. It would be necessary to completely rule out other possible methods of infection, including social contact.
“There are currently no confirmed cases of Covid-19 transmission through food or food packaging,” the WHO says. However, the organization still recommends taking a number of precautions. WHO recommendations state that there is no need to disinfect packaged products, but after unpacking it is necessary to wash hands thoroughly before eating. When grocery shopping, it is a good idea to sanitize your hands before entering the store and wash them when you return home. After unpacking and arranging your purchases, wash your hands again. It is also preferable to order food to be delivered, provided that the courier observes proper personal and food hygiene. Wash your hands after the delivery. Some experts recommend that plastic bags be used only once.