Imported food from Covid-19-hit nations safe: FSSAI

March 05, 2020 22:34

Food safety regulator, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, on Thursday said imported food items, including those from coronavirus-affected nations, are "safe" for human consumption but cautioned people against eating raw or undercooked meat and unprocessed food products.

The FSSAI said a committee constituted to examine this issue has not found any "conclusive evidence" of the food-borne transmission of the deadly virus.

Coronavirus predominately affects the respiratory system and spread from human to human via droplets while sneezing, coughing, contaminated hands and surfaces.

The committee said meat from cooked livestock including poultry is safe to eat, it said in a statement.

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, the FSSAI added.

The committee agreed with the advisories of global organizations that the predominant routes of transmission of coronavirus appear to be human to human.

"FSSAI is keeping a close watch on the situation," the regulator said and added that 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.

There are 30 confirmed cases of coronavirus in India. -- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh passes away at 92

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away on Thursday night at the age of 92. He was brought to the emergency department of AIIMS Delhi in critical condition after "sudden loss of consciousness."

4th Test Updates: Smith out for 140; Australia 9 down

Manmohan Singh dropped pre-medical course: Book

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who died at the age of 92, dropped out of a pre-medical course after losing interest in the subject, according to a book by his daughter. Daman Singh's book "Strictly Personal: Manmohan and...

Steady progress in implementing LAC pact: China

He said that in recent times, based on the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, China and India have maintained close communication on the border situation through diplomatic and military channels and achieved...

BJP got Rs 2,600cr donations in 2023-24, Cong Rs 281cr

During 2023-24, while the BJP received over Rs 723 crore worth of donations from Prudent Electoral Trust, it also got over Rs 127 crore from Triumph Electoral Trust and over Rs 17 lakh from Einzigartig Electoral Trust.