We are living in challenging times and with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic much of the world is in quarantine to stop the spread and flatten the curve.  Countries all over the world are working to ensure their populations are safe and provided with the necessary public health advice.

COVID-19 also known as coronavirus is not transmitted via food and it is not necessary to sanitize your groceries.  It is however important to ensure you are getting your foodstuffs from a reputable source and attending supermarkets, farmer’s markets, etc. which employ hygienic practices.  Many supermarkets are cleaning and sanitizing shopping carts, door handles and other surfaces on a daily basis.  Glass protectors often protect these essential workers to ensure they are not infected when communicating and interacting with the public.

Canada’s Chief Medical Officer has suggested the wearing of non-medical masks may not prevent you from getting the virus but it lessens the chance of you contracting the virus or transmitting it to others.  Therefore, many members of the public both essential workers (health care workers, paramedics, supermarket workers, etc) and non-medical civilians wear masks to help ensure their safety and the safety of the public.

The key variable that will keep your food safe is handwashing.  It is more important now than ever that you practice proper handwashing.  Washing fruits and vegetables that may have been handled by multiple individuals is also important.  When purchasing food products, ensure you are practicing social distancing and ensure you are properly cleaning your reusable grocery bags.  Cleaning of reusable bags may entail washing with a mild detergent if they are cloth or wiping out with a mild sanitizing solution (i.e. chlorine and water).  This should be done periodically to remove any bacteria that may have built up in the reusable bags.

It is up to every one of us to help flatten the curve and prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Ensure you adhere to Public Health bulletins and get your information from reliable sources.  This is a serious Public Health challenge but together the world will get through it.