To address the concerns raised regarding safety of such foods, FSSAI had constituted a committee of experts to examine the possibilities of presence of coronavirus in imported food items.

The committee in its report said that as of now there is no conclusive evidence for the food-borne transmission of coronavirus. Corona virus predominately affects the respiratory system and spread from human to human via droplets while sneezing, coughing, contaminated hands and surfaces. The committee agreed with the advisories of global organisations that the predominant routes of transmission of Coronavirus appear to be human-to-human. It also clarified that meat from cooked, livestock, including poultry is safe to eat.

As a precautionary measure, the committee advised to avoid consumption of raw or undercooked meat as well as unprocessed food products. Frozen food items must be consumed only after cooking them properly. Good hygienic practices must be followed before consuming raw fruits and vegetables.

FSSAI is keeping a close watch on the situation. It will continue to gather and monitor evidences from international agencies and scientific communities of any such transmission leading to Coronavirus disease and will take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of food products.