The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) posted a message on their website, letting customers know that there is currently no evidence of human or animal food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of the coronavirus.
“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”, the message states.
Therefore, the FDA says, there is no need to wash every single package bought from the store. Still, they remind consumers who choose to wipe down their groceries to allow it to dry properly.
Finally, the FDA prepared a list of recommendations for those who plan a visit to the grocery store: “Prepare a shopping list in advance and buy just one to two weeks’ worth of groceries at a time (buying more than you need can create unnecessary demand and temporary shortages); wear a face covering or mask while you are in the store; carry your own wipes, or use one provided by the store to wipe down the handles of the shopping cart or basket; practice social distancing while shopping, and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when you return home and again after you put away your groceries.”