Can coronavirus be transmitted through food?

Researchers are still learning the specifics of how COVID-19 is transmitted

(Web Desk) - As the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread with over 110,000 confirmed cases globally, people are increasingly wondering how COVID-19 might affect our food supply and eating habits.

Researchers are still learning the specifics of how COVID-19 is transmitted, but we do know that the disease can spread through droplets that are released from the nose or mouth when someone coughs, sneezes or exhales.

Disease transmission becomes possible when someone inhales these droplets or touches their eyes, mouth or nose after coming into contact with surfaces where these droplets land. As of now, there’s no evidence of COVID-19 transmission through food.

Jiang Rongmeng, a chief physician at Beijing Ditan Hospital, said "Research shows virus on smooth surface survives for several hours. It can survive for days with suitable temperature and humidity. For example, it is suitable to live in 20 Celsius degree air conditioned environment or 40 to 50 percent humidity. Some researches showed previously-discovered coronaviruses are possible to survive for five days."