USDA - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Ensures Food Safety During COVID-19 Outbreak

Relevant position of the US Department of Agriculture on the lack of evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging, even imported (https://www.usda.gov/coronavirus)

The American institution's pronunciation follows that of the European Food Safety Authority-EFSA (https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/coronavirus-no-evidence-food-source-or-transmission-route). They both assert that there is currently no evidence that the virus can be transmitted by food or food packaging (also imported). USDA recommends, however, to comply with good hygiene practices (frequent washing hands and surfaces, separation of raw meat from other foods, cooking at the right temperature and rapid refrigeration of the food) in phase of food handling or preparation.

Here the related F.A.Q. on USDA web site:

Q: Can I become sick with Coronavirus (COVID-19) from food?

A: We are not aware of any reports at this time of human illnesses that suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging. However, it is always important to follow good hygiene practices (i.e., wash hands and surfaces often, separate raw meat from other foods, cook to the right temperature, and refrigerate foods promptly) when handling or preparing foods.

Q: Are meat products compromised by the Coronavirus?

A: We are not aware of any reports at this time of human illnesses that suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging. However, it is always important to follow good hygiene practices (i.e., wash hands and surfaces often, separate raw meat from other foods, cook to the right temperature, and refrigerate foods promptly) when handling or preparing foods.

Q: Is FSIS taking any extra precautions when receiving food products from nations that have confirmed cases of COVID-19?

A: We are not aware of any reports at this time of human illnesses that suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging. However, it is always important to follow good hygiene practices (i.e., wash hands and surfaces often, separate raw meat from other foods, cook to the right temperature, and refrigerate foods promptly) when handling or preparing foods.

Q: Is food imported to the United States from China and other countries affected by COVID-19 at risk of spreading COVID-19?

A: Currently, there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with imported goods and there are no reported cases of COVID-19 in the United States associated with imported goods.

Q: Can I get sick with COVID-19 from touching food, the food packaging, or food contact surfaces, if the Coronavirus was present on it?

A: Currently there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19. Like other viruses, it is possible that the virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on surfaces or objects. For that reason, it is critical to follow the 4 key steps of food safety - clean, separate, cook, and chill".