Covid-19 can stay in prepared food products for days, but the risk of transmission is low

The FSA announced that they conducted a study by artificially infecting the surfaces and packaging of foods with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes the Kovid-19 disease. The foods subjected to the test were selected from foods that are difficult to wash or consumed uncooked, which are usually sold open on supermarket shelves or delicatessen counters. There was a significant decrease in the amount of virus in the first 24 hours after infection, but the virus was detected for several days in foods such as peppers, the outer surface of bread, ham and cheese.

LIFE ON OLIVE FOR A FEW MINUTES

“The Infectious Virus survived for at least 7 days on foods high in saturated fat and high protein, such as sliced ​​ham and cheddar cheese, ” the FSA statement said. On the other hand, it was stated that the virus lived for a few minutes due to the bioactive chemicals found naturally in foods such as olives and apples. It was noted that this effect was less in egg-covered pastries or chocolate products, so the virus lived for a few hours.

In a statement about the study, the FSA said, “In both refrigerated and ambient conditions at various relative humidity levels, some foods and food packaging materials can protect the infectious virus for a significant period of time,” stressing that it should be taken into account that the virus is not transmitted naturally to food, but artificially. For this reason, the FSA noted that the risk of transmission of the virus is low.