EFSA Declares COVID-19 Spreading is Unrelated to Food Consumption
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Food Safety
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European Union
Posted By:
Trace One
As of March 23, 2020, the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread to more than 150 countries, leading the World Health Organization to declare it as a global pandemic.
The European Food Safety Authority has been monitoring reports and scientific literature and declares no evidence of food as a source or transmission route the virus:
“That transmission through food consumption did not occur. At the moment, there is no evidence to suggest that coronavirus is any different in this respect.” said Marta Hugas, EFSA’s chief scientist. Moreover, “The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has said that while animals in China were the likely source of the initial infection, the virus is spreading from person to person – mainly via respiratory droplets that people sneeze, cough, or exhale.”
Further WHO recommendations and FAQ from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) are available as additional information.