China’s major port city of Shenzhen on Monday announced it is requiring additional tests on frozen meat and poultry for traces of COVID-19.
Shenzhen’s city government said it has prepared a central warehouse where all imported food that has cleared customs would need to undergo the further testing and exterior sterilization prior to passing into commerce. The warehouse began operations on August 18. Certificates will be issued to show product has passed the warehouse inspection.
The new testing requirements follow a reported positive COVID-19 test on the surface of a Brazilian imported chicken wing sample last week. That test prompted Chinese health authorities to issue official warnings that consumers should be cautious when buying imported frozen food due to the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture and the World Health Organization (WHO) there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food and there are no reports at this time of any human illnesses that suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging:
It is always important to follow good hygiene practices (i.e., wash hands and surfaces often, separate raw meat from other foods, cook to the right temperature, and refrigerate foods promptly) when handling or preparing foods.
