Safely Handling Food/Groceries

[bcla]

And is everyone eating everything they bought with in 24 hours? Most of my groceries are sitting on a shelf at home for days anyway. Viruses need hosts, organic hosts. You just aren’t going to catch this from a can or plastic container that sat on your shelf for days. Or from you floor where your bag sat. Maybe if you have a toddler crawling around there, sure, wash your floor. But that will save them from lots of other bacteria & viruses too. Washing your hands & staying 6 feet away from anyone coughing, sneezing or otherwise breathing into you are by far the best ways to avoid getting this illness.

Depends on the virus. I remember some lessons about viruses. Coronaviruses of course can't survive forever without a host for too long, but some viruses are basically inert. I remember a description that some viruses can be left inside a jar for 20 years and they'll still be ready to infect if they find a host.

I also found it interesting that a lot of the disinfecting products I have specifically note effectiveness on coronaviruses. I guess this has been a concern with SARS and other cororonaviruses that predate Covid-19.

 

[Imzadi]

it took me five stores to even find hand soap.

If you can't find hand soap, use shampoo. People are leaving that in the stores along with body wash. Soap is soap. Shampoo is even designed to cut oil/grease from hair. So it will also work as a dishwashing liquid. It will just be a bit more scented than regular dishwashing liquid while washing.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I think we have to keep in mind, too, that some germs actually multiply exponentially at mid-range temperatures.

 

[Imzadi]

I think we have to keep in mind, too, that some germs actually multiply exponentially at mid-range temperatures.

That doesn't happen with Coronavirus. The CDC & WHO said that Covid-19 needs a cell host to survive. That's in our lungs. That's why it eventually dies after 24 hours or 3 days. It can't multiply on it's own without the cell host.

 

[wenrob]

Just a thought, but sometimes I wonder if people are subjecting themselves MORE to germs by wiping things down, especially if they aren't wearing gloves. I flew a couple of weeks ago and observed a lot of people wiping down their tray tables and such. None had gloves on and not all sanitized their hands afterward.

I’m also wondering if people are introducing cleaning chemicals into their food unintentionally.

 

[Imzadi]

(I’ve been worried about produce anyway - not sure how to get produce virus-free w/ just rinsing?)

The virus doesn't burrow inside the produce. It's not the right host. It just stays on the surface.

Hopemax posted this on a different thread regarding whether take out & food delivery is safe. The author sites where he gets his info from, like the CDC, the WHO, the NE Journal of Medicine, etc.

My DH read a link posted by Adam Savage (of Mythbusters fame) on FB. Reading it, helped by DH relax about things.

https://www.seriouseats.com/2020/03/food-safety-and-coronavirus-a-comprehensive-guide.html

 

[Pea-n-Me]

That doesn't happen with Coronavirus. The CDC & WHO said that Covid-19 needs a cell host to survive. That's in our lungs. That's why it eventually dies after 24 hours or 3 days. It can't multiply on it's own without the cell host.

They say what they know right now. There is still plenty we don’t know. There are many other germs around as well. One of my doctors (proferror at Harvard Medical School) had a famous saying in answer to many questions: “Stranger things have happened”.

 

[wenrob]

I watched that video last night & started worrying even more.

BEFORE I watched the video, we were bringing in mail, packages, & groceries & putting them in one place.

We’d carefully open the mail & packages, discard the packaging right away, & then Lysol or wipe the contents of the mail & packages & put the items away. Then, we’d spray the area where the packages were. And then we’d wash our hands.

For groceries, older DS & DH would bring the bags in. DD has been taking the items out of the bags & wiping everything down w/ a Clorox wipe & then I’d put the groceries away. After the groceries are put away, we’ll spray w/ Lysol where the bags were. And, then, complete the process by washing our hands.

DH has been going to get the groceries. (He’s been twice since this all started - but to 2 different grocery stores each time to find everything we needed.). He’s been using our reusable bags. After we’re done unloading the groceries, we’ve been spraying the bags w/ Lysol.

For a few things, I’ve been taking them out of their packaging, but, for most things (like bread), I’ve just been leaving them in their original packages - but I have been wiping down the packaging.

(I’ve been worried about produce anyway - not sure how to get produce virus-free w/ just rinsing?)

Soooo... after watching that video, after all we’ve ALREADY been doing, I realize we’re not doing enough.

And, after the video last night, I had a mini panic attack.

I‘ve haven’t been letting the packages set outside or in the garage for 3 days before handling. We’ve been using reusable bags. I haven’t been taking the bread out of its bag. And, now I’m also worried we haven’t been wiping things down enough... like how do I know if I’ve wiped every single speck off the item? And we’re probably not using enough wipes - we use probably between 3-5 for all the groceries because I’m trying to conserve our wipes.

But you can’t leave cold things from the grocery store In the garage for 3 days!

It’s all just too much.

Okay, you need to breathe. I suffer from anxiety myself and have had my fair share of meltdowns the last couple of weeks. The negatives far out weigh the positives when you go to these kind of extremes. First and foremost your mental health. Stress and anxiety can also leave you vulnerable physically. Try as much as you can not to do that to yourself. Find a credible source and ONLY go by that. Ignore YouTube and social media advice no matter how well intentioned it may be. And also something I have to keep reminding myself of is that this virus if you get it is not a death sentence and most people come out just fine. Be cautious, stay in whenever you can and follow the biggest guideline which is washing your hands. Don’t let yourself come out of this afraid of life. I wish peace and calm for you.

 

[Imzadi]

And, now I’m also worried we haven’t been wiping things down enough... like how do I know if I’ve wiped every single speck off the item?

The article I linked to above said this:

"According to Ben Chapman,[ a food safety specialist from the North Carolina State University and cohost of Risky or Not and Food Safety Talk. ] there is currently no consensus on the minimum viral load necessary for infection. Some scientists put the number as low as a single virion—given ideal conditions (read: if your food has a lone virion on it, you’d have to intensely smear the food on your hands then purposely rub them in your eyes and up your nose). "​

Link again: https://www.seriouseats.com/2020/03/food-safety-and-coronavirus-a-comprehensive-guide.html

 

[DisneyLover1217]

I also wipe anything that comes into the house. As far as take out, I will only order food that can be heated in the oven or microwave. I figure if anything is on it it will get killed when I reheat it.

 

[lovemygoofy]

This is from the FDA website. The FDA and Consumer Reports both states washing your produce with water is enough. If someone really wants to feel they are taking action to clean their produce you can make a vinegar wash with 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water in spray bottle and then rinse again with water.

Q: Is the U.S. food supply safe?

Currently there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19.

Unlike foodborne gastrointestinal (GI) viruses like norovirus and hepatitis A that often make people ill through contaminated food, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is a virus that causes respiratory illness. Foodborne exposure to this virus is not known to be a route of transmission.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. This includes between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. However, it’s always critical to follow the 4 key steps of food safety—clean, separate, cook, and chill – to prevent foodborne illness.

 

[JimMIA]

I suspect that there is much more risk IN THE STORE than there is from the packaging you bring home. I'm talking about the handles of the shopping carts, doors to refrigerators, credit card terminals, and certainly any currency if you pay cash.

And many stores are taking almost no protective actions. At Costco, a LOT of employees are wearing gloves, which is a very good thing to protect themselves. But I went to one grocery store where I didn't see one single employee wearing any kind of PPE. Especially if I were handling money, I wouldn't work without gloves, but nobody was wearing them.

 

[hopemax]

The virus doesn't burrow inside the produce. It's not the right host. It just stays on the surface.

Hopemax posted this on a different thread regarding whether take out & food delivery is safe. The author, Adam Savage, sites where he gets his info from, like the CDC, the WHO, the NE Journal of Medicine.

FYI, Adam didn't write it, he just put a link on Facebook, which is where my DH found it.

 

[MamaLema]

I don’t even have disinfecting wipes as they have been sold out for 2 weeks. My family is large and we buy a lot of groceries. Another thing to stress over.

 

[focusondisney]

I don’t even have disinfecting wipes as they have been sold out for 2 weeks. My family is large and we buy a lot of groceries. Another thing to stress over.

Nope, don’t stress over this. There are many people freaking out & making it seem like sanitizing anything & everything is needed. It is not! You don’t see Dr Fauci saying sanitize your groceries. He says stay home & wash your hands. Those really are the most effective ways to prevent catching this. Don’t let other people’s neuroses upset you.

 

[Wendy31]

Okay, you need to breathe. I suffer from anxiety myself and have had my fair share of meltdowns the last couple of weeks. The negatives far out weigh the positives when you go to these kind of extremes. First and foremost your mental health. Stress and anxiety can also leave you vulnerable physically. Try as much as you can not to do that to yourself. Find a credible source and ONLY go by that. Ignore YouTube and social media advice no matter how well intentioned it may be. And also something I have to keep reminding myself of is that this virus if you get it is not a death sentence and most people come out just fine. Be cautious, stay in whenever you can and follow the biggest guideline which is washing your hands. Don’t let yourself come out of this afraid of life. I wish peace and calm for you.

Thank you. I needed this.

Last night, I was almost in tears & DH reminded me that we can only do what we can reasonably do & can’t control everything.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I don’t even have disinfecting wipes as they have been sold out for 2 weeks. My family is large and we buy a lot of groceries. Another thing to stress over.

Exactly my issue with this guy. He’s acting like it’s feasible for everyone to do this.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I suspect that there is much more risk IN THE STORE than there is from the packaging you bring home. I'm talking about the handles of the shopping carts, doors to refrigerators, credit card terminals, and certainly any currency if you pay cash.

And many stores are taking almost no protective actions. At Costco, a LOT of employees are wearing gloves, which is a very good thing to protect themselves. But I went to one grocery store where I didn't see one single employee wearing any kind of PPE. Especially if I were handling money, I wouldn't work without gloves, but nobody was wearing them.

Thats exactly why I’m staying out of all stores. I haven’t been to one in almost 2 weeks.

 

[focusondisney]

Thats exactly why I’m staying out of all stores. I haven’t been to one in almost 2 weeks.

And that is what the experts are recommending .... stay home! As much as you can anyway. It’s not your groceries that will get you sick, it’s the shopping.

 

[Kitty 34]

DH goes to the store once a week (OK it's only been 2 wks in but whatever). He sets them on the floor. I grab one or two bags at a time, put them on the counter; put all the food away. Dispose of the bags.....(will recycle at another time) and then wash my hands to Queen's Bohemian Rhaposity when all done.