Is It Safe to Order Food Delivery and Groceries During Coronavirus Pandemic?

As many people in Egypt are staying home as a means to try and prevent Coronavirus from spreading, a common question has been circulating amongst Rahet Bally mamas: Is it safe to order food delivery or bring groceries into your home?

 

The question is valid as it stems from the fear of brining the virus into your home and infecting yourself or those you love. You’re staying home for a reason, after all.  However, it is important to note that coronavirus cannot be transmitted through food. But, it is the packaging that is a concern.

 

While staying at home is essential, we need food to survive. There has been a circulating video on social media that is quite detailed and explains it all. Here’s a step-by-step process of how to disinfect any possible coronavirus particles on your groceries or from food you’ve had delivered to your home.

 

Step 1: Sanitize your table with disinfectant

 

Step 2: Divide your working table in half and add your shopping bags on only one side of the table

And when you’ve disinfected each item separately, you can place them on the other half of the table

 

Step 3: Spray disinfectant on any outer surface

 

Step 4: Remove items like bread and nuts from their plastic cover to a sealed container

 

Step 5: Use sanitized wipes or spray to disinfect the plastic covering fresh vegetables or remove the plastic cover completely and wash the vegetables

 

Step 6: Remove sealed food like cereals from their cardboard boxes and throw away the cardboard. The inner bag is most probably untouched and clean.

 

Step 7: Place fruits in soapy water and scrub each piece for 20-30 seconds. Porous fruits as oranges should be treated like skin in terms of washing.

 

Step 8: Throw away plastic bags (preferably out of the house) and sanitize the work space again. If you use a cloth shopping tote, wash it.

 

Step 9: Wash your hands for 20-30 seconds

 

How to disinfect take-out and food deliveries

 

With everyone being afraid to order take out, here’s an easy step-by-step guide to ensure your food is safe and coronavirus-free. Coronavirus has not been proven to transmit through food, however, with the packaging being the problem, here’s how to disinfect it:

 

Step 1: Remove the bags and throw them away outside the house

 

Step 2: Remove the packaging without touching the food with your hands

 

Step 3: Microwave food for 30 seconds

 

Step 4: Avoid ordering cold dishes and always resort to hot food instead

 

You can watch the entire video presented by a health worker here.  This is the same method health workers use to sterilize and disinfect surgical equipment and tools before surgeries.

 

Further reading: 14 Egyptian Online Grocery Shopping Apps to Avoid Supermarket Crowds

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