Food and drinking water pose no corona threat

There is no evidence to support the widespread concern that food and drinking water pose a COVID-19 infection risk, according to HFS, the Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority.

As COVID-19 is transmitted through respiratory droplets and not through the intestines, food and tap water are generally safe.

“As long as good hygiene is practised in the cooking process, i.e. all utensils and chopping boards, etc. are clean, the food itself poses no risk of infection,” says Malan N. Mikkelsen, the head of the HFS food department.

“If, for instance, you order a burger delivery, just make sure to dispose of the packaging safely, wash your hands properly, and then you can enjoy your burger straight away without worrying about putting it into the oven first to kill off the virus.”

Fish products are safe too 

China, a key export client for Faroese salmon farmers, recently announced a temporary ban on salmon imports after indications of a possible second wave of COVID-19 in Beijing.

In response to this, HFS issued the following statement:

“In general, fish is not considered to be affected by the same pathogens as humans and terrestrial animals. Although there are several pathogens infecting terrestrial animals that are zoonotic (infect humans as well), the COVID-19 virus is generally considered to be transmitted from human to human.”

The World Health Organization says:

“As food has not been implicated in the transmission of COVID-19, imported food should be subjected to the same import controls as before the pandemic.”

Translated by prosa.fo