Are there any food safety issues with COVID-19?

There is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 can be transmitted through food as COVID-19 is not a food borne virus. This is confirmed in guidance issued by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) “Coronavirus: no evidence that food is a source or transmission route”.

The main risk of transmission is from close contact with infected people. The advice to food businesses and consumers is to maintain good hygiene practices and to wash your hands regularly. Thorough cooking of food will kill the virus and there is little scientific evidence relating to the survival of the COVID-19 on the surface of open food. The Food Standards Agency will provide advice for food businesses.