Health DG: No evidence that Covid-19 can be transmitted via food or packaging

PETALING JAYA: There is no evidence that shows Covid-19 can be transmitted through food or food packaging, says Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

“It is highly unlikely that one can contract infection of Covid-19 from food or food packaging. Covid-19 is indeed a respiratory infection.

“Its route of transmission is droplets, close contact from one person to another, or indirectly on surfaces. But now, there is no evidence to suggest that Covid-19 can be transmitted via food, ” he said during a press conference at the Health Ministry in Putrajaya on Monday (Oct 19).

On Monday, there were reports saying the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had detected live Covid-19 virus on the outer packaging of imported frozen cod in the eastern coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province.

However, the CDC said that the public was at low risk of catching Covid-19 from touching or eating cold chain food.

At the same time, Dr Noor Hisham also advised Malaysians to abide by standard operating procedures to stem Covid-19 such as wearing face masks, frequent hand washes, avoid crowded areas and practise social distancing.

“Practise these strategies so the Covid-19 infection can be decreased by as much as 85%. If we are aiming for 100%, then stay at home, ” he added.