US FDA and USDA: "No Evidence of COVID-19 Transmission Through Food"

Salmon and chicken displayed at a store in Los Angeles, USA. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eunbyeol] The U.S. government announced on the 24th (local time) that there is no evidence that the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is transmitted through food or food packaging.

Sonny Perdue, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and Stephen Hahn, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), issued a joint statement to this effect. They pointed out, "Some countries are imposing restrictions on food trade citing COVID-19," and said, "This is inconsistent with the known science."

The statement came as the Chinese government strengthened quarantine measures on imported food after the virus was detected on a cutting board at an imported salmon shop in the Xinfadi Market, identified as the source of the recent COVID-19 cluster infection in Beijing.

The General Administration of Customs of China conducted COVID-19 sample inspections last week on imported seafood, meat, vegetables, fruits, and processed foods, and suspended imports of poultry meat processed at the U.S. Tyson plant, where multiple infections occurred.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.