UK experts believe that COVID-19 could linger in ready-to-eat groceries.
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A woman with a shopping trolley full of groceries in a supermarket aisle on May 22, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales. Last week, the UK Office for National Statistics reported an 6% average increase of food and drink prices year on year, but some staples, such as milk and pasta, had risen by more than 10%.
If this is true, their findings are quite alarming, especially since many individuals consume these food items immediately.
The global coronavirus pandemic isn't over yet. Although the number of COVID-19 infection cases is pretty low compared to the past years, it is still important to practice safe habits.
If you are always shopping for ready-to-eat groceries, you should cleanse them before putting them in your mouth.
UK Experts Claim COVID-19 Lingers in Ready-to-Eat Groceries
According to BBC News' latest report, U.K. health experts conducted a study. Involved researchers carried out tests for FSA (Food Standards Agency).
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Their research paper was already published on the official Food Standards Agency website.
"We conducted a laboratory-based study artificially contaminating infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus onto the surfaces of foods and food packaging," said the U.K. experts.
In their study, they provided ready-to-eat groceries that could contain the COVID-19 virus for a long period, such as the following:
- Deli items (COVID-19 could linger for a few days because of the products' fat content and high protein)
- Fresh vegetables and fruit (Because of their uneven surfaces, the COVID-19 virus could stay for around a week)
- Baked goods (Virus could last for a few hours)
- Canned drinks and meal containers (In aluminum cans, COVID-19 could linger for hours. In food cartons, the virus could stay for several days)
What You Should Do
U.K. health experts stated that shoppers don't really need to practice extra precautionary measures.
They explained that washing hands before preparing ready-to-eat groceries and eating them is already enough.
Aside from them, they also said that rinsing these food items can also remove any contamination on the surface.
But, if you want to ensure that your ready-to-eat groceries are really safe to consume, you can follow FDA's tips:
- Always wash your kitchen counter after putting your groceries on the surface.
- Always clean the lids of canned goods.
- Refrigerate meat, eggs, and other perishables within two hours after purchasing them.
Right now, the global pandemic is still affecting companies across the globe.
Recently, Foxconn implemented health restrictions in its iPhone factory in China because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
In other news, health experts suggested bringing back COVID-19 face masks.
For more news updates about COVID-19 and other health topics, keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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