Imported Food is Safe from Corona Virus

New Delhi, March 05, 2020: Food Safety & Standards Authority (FSSAI), the food regulator of the country, has informed that food imported into India including from the Coronavirus affected countries is safe for human consumption.

To address concerns raised regarding the safety of such foods, FSSAI had constituted a Committee of experts to examine the possibilities of the presence of coronavirus in imported food items.

The Committee in its report opined that as of now there is no conclusive evidence for the foodborne transmission of Coronavirus. Coronavirus predominately affects the respiratory system and spread from human to human via droplets while sneezing, coughing, contaminated hands and surfaces. The Committee agreed with the advisories of global organizations that the predominant routes of transmission of Coronavirus appear to be human to human. It also clarified that meat from cooked, livestock including poultry is safe to eat.

As a precautionary measure, the Committee advised avoiding consumption of raw or undercooked meat as well as unprocessed food products. Frozen food items must be consumed only after cooking them properly. Good hygienic practices must be followed before consuming raw fruits and vegetables.

FSSAI is keeping a close watch on the situation. It will continue to gather and monitor evidence from international agencies and scientific communities of any such transmission leading to Coronavirus disease and will take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of food products.

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