Transcript
With most restaurants across the US closed, many of us are turning to food takeout or delivery.
But how safe is it?
A food safety specialist at North Carolina State University says takeout is a “safe alternative.”
Dr. Angela Rasmussen who studies viruses at Columbia University says there’s no evidence that coronavirus is transmitted by eating food.
She says the risk of contracting coronavirus through a hot or even a cold meal is extremely low.
And even if coronavirus somehow makes its way into your meal, the heat from cooking is more likely to kill off the virus.
She says we don’t know how long coronavirus remains infectious on cold foods but for things like produce, washing them prior to eating should rinse off any virus.
Dr. Rasmussen adds if the virus is ingested our stomach would actually get rid of the virus.
A doctor at New York University says that it is human interaction not interaction with food that poses the greatest risk.
The doctor suggests having whoever is delivering your food to leave it outside your door, wait until they leave and then get the food.
If you prefer to head to the grocery store to throw together a homemade meal, wiping the products down and washing your hands are key.
Posted – 3.30.20