The FDA Says There Is No Need To Wipe Down Food And Packages. Here’s Why
If this is true, I’ve been doing a lot of unnecessary cleaning! Better safe than sorry though, right?
Ever since the first reports of COVID-19 in the U.S., many, including myself, have been extra careful about EVERYTHING that they touch. And for good reason.
As we learn more and more during this pandemic, the methods of treatment and prevention keeps changing. Which is both good and bad.
This means we are figuring out the best way to handle this situation, but it also means you have to keep yourself updated on a regular basis.
Grocery shopping and eating out have been changing quite a bit on the precautions meter. It was suggested that everyone switch to curbside and food delivery to keep distancing a priority.
But with the virus being able to stay on surfaces for a lengthy amount of time, many of us are still wiping everything down when it arrives.
But as of April 16, 2020, the FDA has announced that there is no need to wipe down every item that arrives to your home.
Even though studies have been showing that the virus lives on surfaces, the FDA has tried calming the nerves of everyone by stating that there are zero cases of anyone contracting the virus through packaging.
“We want to reassure consumers that there is currently no evidence of human or animal food or food packaging being associated with transmission of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This particular coronavirus causes respiratory illness and is spread from person-to-person, unlike foodborne gastrointestinal or GI viruses, such as norovirus and hepatitis A that often make people ill through contaminated food.”
FDA
“There is no evidence of food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19. If you wish, you can wipe down product packaging and allow it to air dry, as an extra precaution.”
FDA
They also spoke about the fear of a food shortage and have reassured us that there is still plenty to go around, even if your local store happens to run out of the high demand products you may be struggling to find.
If you do have to go inside a grocery store instead of using a curbside service, be sure to write a list ahead of time and wear a mask so you can get in and out quickly without much opportunity of contamination.
Also, try to stock up for a few weeks to keep from entering stores more than necessary. Anything you can do to stop the spread is highly suggested so we can all get back to a normal life as soon as possible.
Obviously, use the precautions that make you feel most comfortable.
If wiping down all of the products that enter your house gives you peace of mind, please continue.
I don’t think there’s a right answer to just how safe we can truly be so take any means necessary to keep your family safe.
