In this time we’re in, unlike any other experienced in our lifetime, I thought it would be helpful to share some sensible Coronavirus food safety tips, covering how to sanitise food and what I’m doing to ensure food safety.
SUMMARY
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Coronavirus believed to survive up to 3 days on surfaces
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Wash all fresh produce in warm soapy water
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Only eat cooked foods to be extra cautious
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For the vulnerable – extra precaution – wash all food jars and packets, and personal hygiene items that will touch your face
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Skip takeout from fast food joints. Support local restaurants by asking for takeaway food you can reheat at home.
Background
Though Coronavirus cannot be passed through food because it needs a living host to survive, it does persist on surfaces. The exact time is still unknown, but the World Health Organisation says it may be for a few hours or up to 3 days. (Excerpt here)
Accordingly, I sanitise my fresh produce – and in this post I explain how I do it.
How to sanitise food
I wash all my fresh produce (fruits and vegetables) in warm soapy water just like I’m doing the dishes. I used to use just water – or salt or vinegar for some things.
Grossed out? I was too, initially. But you can’t taste the detergent and even lettuce remains crispy if you use this method:
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Fill sink with hot water and some detergent – as though you are about to do the dishes;
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Fill a 2nd sink with cold water (or clean bucket or similar);
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Separate stems/leaves for things like spinach and lettuce for easy access to clean;
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Plunge fruit and vegetables into soapy water. Swish it around and scrub if necessary. Work in small batches to reduce time in hot water;
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Transfer into cold water to rinse off suds. Work quickly so lettuce and other perky veg doesn’t wilt;
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Dry – Pile onto dish rack and colanders to drain and dry; and
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Store as you ordinarily do.
I clean all vegetables whether I intend to cook with them or not because:
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I store all my produce bundled/piled together; and
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it is not yet known at what temperature Coronavirus is killed during cooking (or how long you have to cook for).
If you can’t be bothered or don’t have time to go through the above, I’d recommend only eating cooked foods. (Or if you want to be extra cautious) The longer you cook, the safer it gets (not yet any definitive guidance on how long you need to cook for).
Vinegar and salt – not as effective
In the past, I’d wash produce with just water, or use either salt or vinegar in a sink full of water to clean my produce. But it’s pretty well documented that while this will kill bugs and some bacteria, it doesn’t kill viruses.
Some general points
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Meat, fish, seafood – I don’t wash because they’re cooked
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Food and ingredients in cans, jars and packets – I don’t wash but see note below for vulnerable people
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Dried beans scooped from bins – cooked so I don’t wash
Vulnerable people – extra measures
I do not generally wash jars of sauces and spreads, cans of beans or packets of noodles – though today, I did wash a can of tuna I had just bought in the morning because I ate it straight out of the can (desperate food on the run!).
However, if I had a vulnerable person in my household (elderly or weak immune system) then I would wash every single item that entered the kitchen OR “quarantine” them for 3 days (eg in a box, separate fridge):
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bottles and jars of sauces, spreads
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cans of vegetables
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packets of noodles, dried beans, frozen vegetables
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bottles of fruit juice, drinks
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packets of dried herbs
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meat (wash the packet)
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toothpaste, face wash, shaving cream and any personal hygiene things that will be used on the face
Paper packaging
For things like flour and sugar that are sometimes in paper packaging (where water would soak through), I would wipe the packets down with disinfectant wipes, or spray then wipe.
Things that are cooked have an extra safety net, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
No fast food. Make it yourself.
If there was ever a time to make homemade meals, it would be now.
Skip the fast food. KFC, Maccers, Dominos. The big chains that operate like factories who hire kids to work after school.
….BUT support your locals. MY IDEAS!!
On the other hand, as I offer advice to avoid takeout, I also feel a strong moral and sentimental obligation to support our hard working and incredibly talented hospitality industry.
Restaurant workers can’t work from home. They can’t teleconference in.
So the pandemic threatens to wipe out restaurants, cafes and bars across our country.
I believe the hygiene management practices of reputable establishments are far better than any I can do in my own home. These people are professionals!
One girl and her dog can’t save an entire industry, but she CAN offer suggestions to help support local businesses:
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Ask your favourite restaurants (no matter how fancy!) for takeaway food that can be reheated at home;
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Skip fast food. Now is not the time for Maccers or Dominos. Use your takeout budget to support the family run businesses and reputable restaurants;
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Talk to the restaurant owners and read their website – hear what they’re doing to make things safe for diners. It will bring you comfort (this is what I did at my local bistros and favourite city restaurants);
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Gift vouchers!!!
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Organise a fancy fine dining dinner party IN with your favourite people! Take out from your favourite restaurants and save a ton of money by drinking your own booze and no cab fare home! Many high end dining establishments in Sydney are now looking to offer home meals as a creative means to address their empty restaurants (here’s the Gourmet Traveller live list) – and I’m hoping this is happening around the world.
Let’s support the hard working locals who put their heart and soul into making incredible food for us to enjoy during the good times. Now it’s OUR TURN to support them during the hard times. I’m taking friends to my favourite local Afghani restaurant tomorrow night!
Stay positive – we will get through this!
To everybody who is struggling in these hard times – stay strong! We are all in it together. In my very small way, I want to try to help how I can – by trying to keep your life delicious by providing efficient meal plans and tips for smart pantry items so you don’t waste money and food on wild panic buying sprees.
If you are feeling down, leave a message on one of these posts I’ve been sharing about Coronavirus. I feel so incredibly fortunate to be part of a wonderful community of readers from all around the world who takes the time to help each other out, especially during difficult times like this.
Think positive.
Act responsibly.
Be kind to others.
Stay safe and well! – Nagi x
Life of Dozer
Available for virtual hugs, 24-7!
Greetings Nagi, Thank you for all your hard work these past few days and your good advice.
You’re so welcome Rosie! N x
Nagi, I love all your posts but this one is the best. Thank you for the tips. Most of all, thank you for caring. From SoCal.
Thanks so much Diane, I’m loving all these positive comments! N x
Nagi…my grandmother washed all produce from as long as I can remember..good old SOAP & WATER…sprays used on fruit & veg..are treated to be water resistant so JUST water will do nothing…peroxide is good if you can get it now!! Give Dozer a hug from me please…he must be exhausted just keeping up with you…good luck to the both of you & stay safe.
Agree Roslyn, water wont do anything – may as well not bother!!! N x
Hi Nagi – Thanks a ton for your cheerful and down to earth ideas and suggestions. You’re a gem! And I too have a little pooch who has more hug capacity than she knows what to do with!
Give her a big belly rub from me Mary!!
Such good advice and great recipes. Thanks, Nagi. Dozer, I need a hug!
Thanks Creena!
Good tips! We’ve been wiping down our mail with bleach cleaning wipes, too–virtually anything and everything that came into the house for the past 2 weeks.
Great idea Wynn, can’t be too careful!
Absolutely love Dozer’s availability for virtual hugs 24-7! Awesome!
Pretty much ALL he’s good for in these times…😂
Hi Nagi, thanks for the articles on “the bug”, and how to keep us safer and healthier until it goes the way of the dodo bird.
My go-to for produce cleaning is hydrogen peroxide. I buy the 35% food grade peroxide and dilute it 10 parts boiled water, to 1 part HP when using it on food. If using it full strength, it only takes a teaspoon in a full sink of cold water – soak your produce for about 20 minutes or so – rinse and dry to store. I have found that using HP actually helps my produce last longer. If you’re using the 3% sold in drug stores, it takes about 1/4 cup in a sink of cold water all else being the same, to do the same thing.
I also use it to clean my home and disinfect the kitchen/bathroom areas. Also works great on door handles and light switches, phones that are safe to be wiped off, and any other hard surface. To use HP as a disinfectant, I dilute my 35% food grade to about a 10% solution, and after cleaning with soap/water/vinegar is done, I spray the HP on surfaces and let it dry on them. No bugs!! Hydrogen Peroxide side effects: more oxygen. 🙂
Be Sure to wear gloves while using stronger solutions of HP, it’s a very powerful product!!
I must say I don’t have experience in peroxide. I know that professionals use it. thank you for sharing that Leah! N xx
Dearest Nagi ! Please do not advise people to wash produce with soap ! You can find many reliable resources who suggest washes with water and really small amounts of bleach or peroxide and then a rinse in plain water, With soap residue , unless you are really diligent in rinsing , you can risk causing someone some serious intestinal distress. https://modernsurvivalblog.com/survival-kitchen/chlorine-bleach-for-sanitizing-raw-fruits-and-vegetables/
If anyone is unsure they can also look at their country’s agricultural college websites for bleach ratios and advice.
Hi Karen! I’m not recommending SOAP bars 🙂 I’m recommending dishwashing detergent that we use to wash plates etc! Thank you so much for that helpful resource though, I really REALLY appreciate it – N x
Your absolutely correct as this virus has NEVER been seen before. Im merely saying my opinion of using dish detergent/bleach and the like for sanitizing/cleaning for food/vegetables.
Everyone has their own way of doing things that’s right for them.
Glad to bring up such an issue!
Stay safe x
😘 N xx
Much respect xx💋👍
Thank you for all the useful tips and tricks to help get us through this horrible time .The whole world is affected by it so we have to help each other where possible.As oldies and having gone through a war time its natural to keep stocked up so no panic buying for us.Had not even thought about it being on food but will be more vigilant in the future.I have lots growing in the garden + I have 2 ” Vegepods” and always have sprouts on the bench.Thank you so much for your positive outlook which will help lift the dark days for all.
You’re so lucky to have homegrown veg!! I haven’t yet started 🙂 N x
Virtual hugs to you and precious Dozer!
Blessings
Sue McQuade in Midwestern USA
Right back to you Sue! N x
Nagi, thank you so much for such clear instructions on how to sanitize our foods. I will start doing this immediately. Virtual hugs to Dozer 🙂
You’re so welcome Carolyn! Stay safe N xx
Nagi – You are amazing. So is Dozer. Thank you for your suggestions during this horrible COVID 19 outbreak. Love from Los Angeles MAR
Stay safe Maryann! N xx
You stay safe as well. Sending my love to you and Dozer! xox
Hi, Nagi! Thank you for these ideas about sanitizing. I have been wondering if the water/vinegar veggie wash was enough. Also, my neighborhood has been supporting our local restaurants by ordering takeout, and it’s working well. One place decided to donate 100% of any gift card sales to it’s employees, since they haven’t any income right now. Yet another creative way we can help take care of each other. Lastly, I’m really sorry we laughed at you all about the toilet paper thing last month. Signed, TP-less in USA
You are an inspiration Nagy! Thank you for your ideas, tips and info. As always your posts are helpful, informative and sprinkled with humour.
Thanks Nagi for all the efforts that you have made to keep us all safe and well fed. You surely make it a lot easier😍
Thank you for such an informative blog. I love your site. Your upbeat tone is helping keep us all less stressed.
Thanks for the timely post! I would still wipe down the plastic around or meat or fish before putting it in the fridge. Or pop the whole package into a clean zip-top bag. I often split these items into smaller portions anyway, into those bags. Then I don’t have to deal with store packaging just before I cook it (even tho I wash my hands before and after just the same!).
Hi Nagi, I am such a fan of your delicious food. I would like to offer a suggestion… for cleaning your food. Hydrogen Peroxide. You don’t need a lot but it is very good for sanitizing.