Following a report that COVID-19 was found on the packaging of imported seafood that recently arrived at the port city of Yantai in China, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) told the public to observe proper sanitary practices when handling and preparing food.
In a statement, BFAR said that as advised by the Department of Health (DoH), goods bought from the market must be disinfected with alcohol or 0.5 percent bleach solution, while fresh food must be washed with clean, running water before storage.
“Food must also be cooked thoroughly and kept at safe temperatures before consumption,” BFAR said.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no evidence to support transmission of the COVID-19 virus on food.
“However, for the safety of consumers, it is advised that proper food handling practices be observed at all times,” BFAR reiterated.
The DA assured the public that all the imported frozen chicken that enter the country go through proper quarantine inspection, after Chinese authorities confirmed that several imported frozen chicken from Brazil tested positive for COVID-19.