TOKYO, JAPAN – APRIL 11: Uber Eats delivery men ride bicycles through the Kabukicho entertainment area on April 11, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has requested that businesses including schools, athletic facilities, bars and restaurants to temporarily close or operate under reduced hours. The action follows a state of emergency that covers 7 of Japans 47 prefectures as the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak continues to spread throughout the country. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)
Many are turning to ordering takeout during the coronavirus pandemic, but since it involves your food interacting with other humans, it is 100% safe?
Men's Health, with the help of Chrysan Cronin (DrPH, MPH, a professor of public health at Muhlenberg College), is setting the record straight on four myths. They are: food packaging may carry the disease, cold foods are more likely to carry the disease than hot foods, it's a good idea to reheat takeout or delivery foods before you eat them, it's best not order takeout or delivery at all. Here's what they say:
Myth 1 - Food packaging may carry the disease.
According to Cronin, "I want to emphasize that to date there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 can be spread by food or food wrappers." She also adds, "It is highly unlikely that a respiratory droplet from an infected person will make its way onto your food or your food wrappers when proper food safety guidelines are followed."
Myth 2 - Cold foods are more likely to carry the disease than hot foods.
Cronin explains that as long as you order from a restaurant using proper food handler safety guidelines, you should be okay. "When these are followed, there is no increased risk to eating cold foods versus hot foods."
Myth 3 - It's a good idea to reheat takeout or delivery foods before you eat them.
Yes and no. Cronin explains that with other coronaviruses, they are temperature sensitive and can be destroyed. She adds, "We don't yet have enough information to know if COVID-19 reacts similarly. There is no evidence that shows that heating or microwaving your food until steam rises is effective in killing the virus, and no evidence to suggest that this is even necessary."
Myth 4 - Not order takeout or delivery at all is best
In a nutshell, it's safe to order out. "The riskiest part of takeout and/or delivery is the person-to-person contact with the delivery person, so be sure to keep your six-feet distance when you pick up your food or have it delivered," Cronin lastly adds. Read the full article here.
