Don Schaffner, a food microbiologist at Rutgers University, tweeted a thread about buying and processing food during the pandemic. He noted that more and more information from incompetent sources now appears on the Web, and motley advice can not only raise panic, but also harm. In his opinion, the most dangerous are recommendations from doctors who have nothing to do with microbiology and food.
I'm a food microbiologist. Would you like me to give you advice on how to care for your sick kids? I don’t think so. Don’t take food safety or microbiology advice from MDs that don’t understand food, science or very much about microbiology. (3/33)
- Don Schaffner 🦠 (@bugcounter) March 26, 2020
I am a food microbiologist. Would you like to hear from me advice on how to treat children? Unlikely. And that is why you should not listen to advice on food hygiene or microbiology from doctors who are completely in this area.
First of all, he told whether it was necessary to disinfect purchases: “Is it worth disinfecting food packaging? I don't think there is any scientific basis for this. It is best to wash your hands if you took something from a potentially contaminated package - and this rule does not only work during a pandemic. You should always wash your hands and / or treat them with an antiseptic before eating. "
He then explained how to wash fruits and vegetables - and there is absolutely nothing complicated here.
- Wash fruits and vegetables with cold water, you cannot use soap for this.
- There is no evidence that specialized fruit and vegetable washing products have any effect on SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. Most of them are not more efficient than ordinary water. Nevertheless, if you feel calmer from this and you do not mind spending a few hundred rubles, such funds can be used.
- Likewise, there is no evidence that washing with vinegar helps kill more bacteria than washing with water. Better to save the vinegar for cooking.
Schaffner also talked about how to buy to minimize risk.
- Treat your hands with an antiseptic before entering and after leaving the supermarket. Large stores now hang antiseptic dispensers at the entrance - feel free to use them.
- Try to spend as little time in the store as possible and avoid contact with other people. Make a shopping list and go to a familiar store where you are well-versed so as not to waste time looking for the right department.
- You can use reusable bags, shoppers or string bags, but remember to wash them regularly. However, this rule also works outside the pandemic. When you have taken out groceries, it is better to store such bags in the trunk of your car.
- After you have disassembled your purchases, wash your hands again.
Read also🧐
- How long does coronavirus live on different surfaces (updated)
- How to shop during a pandemic
- Can you get the coronavirus if you order food at home?