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!
Thank you Nagi. As always love your emails & l have shared this to my friends. Hugs to both you & Dozer. Stay well. xx
Stay safe and stay well Nagi, your talent and care for the world shine through.
Many thanks Nagi for advise, big hug to you and Dozer
You are just the best !…greetings from the UK
Thank you so much for your helpful positive posts Nagi – stay safe 💕
Thank you Nagi, and a special virtual hug back to Dozer. Even before this outbreak I always washed my fruits and vegetables in warm soapy water, but not the leafy vegetables. Thank you for that tip, good to know there is no lingering taste on the leafy vegetables. Stay safe my friend. Love your website!
I loved reading your email about food stock up and really how little you need. Thank you for taking time as some of us really struggle with ideas and it’s refreshing to have some great pointers such as wraps, great idea
I cant thank you enough for showing how much you care for all your followers.
I appreciate all the tips that you shared w/all that followed you. Most of all your time to share your wonderful recipes that I really enjoyed . Thank you Nagi and give Dozer a big hug for me. God bless and hope everyone will or stay calm.
Thanks for your helpful tips! We’re in Maine & sometimes it’s so overwhelming to turn on the tv to listen on how bad it really is, I’m home knitting a lot to relieve some of the stress. My hands hurt from washing & sanitizing but that’s the reality! Making my own hand sanitizer for my family and who ever needs it & yes, let’s help each other, show compassion, we’re all dealing with it! Magi is from Australia & she’s doing her part to inform us on how to clean our food so let’s all join in & do something kind, wonderful & informative for all!
Nagi, you are the greatest. Thank you so much for the timely information toped off with a hug from Dozer. Can’t beat that.
Organise a fancy fine dining dinner party IN with your favourite people!
Sorry, Nagi, I think this is very bad advice. Social distancing is recommended
Your posts for Coronavirus have been amazing, You’ve calm a lot of fear and worry in this house… we live by your recipes. My very picky eater husband never gives me the scowl or turned up nose at a new dish, when I simply say “it’s a Nagi recipe”. You’ve also prevented any hoarding purchases or panic buying, my pantry was much more appropriately stocked, than I gave myself credit for….Thanks to you! Please keep up your inspirational posts and delicious recipes! Virtual hugs to you and Dozer…
Our gang…
🧡💜🐶🐶🐥
Nagi since cooking your recipes I haven’t had any inclination to buy my usual Chinese Indian or Thai I love your recipes
Goods tips for sanitizing food. Thanks Nagi
You’re amazing Nagi! Always giving so much and never asking for anything in return. You’re funny and kind and a hella good cook and my family thanks you for reigniting our dinner times!! Stay safe and thank you again!!
Nagi, you brighten my every day. Thank you for your kindness and your amazing recipes. Stay well.
I have been washing produce in Fairy Antibac for YEARS to the very odd looks from some lol and when I’ve done, I cool down water a touch then emerse indoor plants in it to drown any bugs etc, two for one 🤗
Hi Nagi, In the Food Manager certificate class, the instructor said we could sanitize fresh fruit and vegetables by diluting 1 oz. bleach to 10 gallons of water. I figure that equates to roughly 3ml. bleach per gallon. Is this something you would do? If yes, would the produce need to be rinsed following a dip? Hot water? Before the coronavirus we just rinsed our produce in the soup kitchen so I’ve never used bleach. (Soup kitchen still closed)
Thanks for all your recommendations and ideas. Be safe. -Diane
Hi Nagi,
My husband works in a grocery store, he is starting his 12th straight day at work without a day off. Dealing with panic-buying customers all day is just soul destroying (and not having time off is not helping either :-). I really appreciate your calm, practical, and positive advice. Please give Dozer some hugs and scritches from me.
Your husband and all grocery staff are amazing Sooo much appreciated !!!!!!!!Take good care of him… Lets all buy calmly so life can get back to normal and these workers can have a break
Regrettably here in Florida, USA the governor yesterday shut down all bars and restaurants for 30 days. Take out is still available though. our kind assistance.Time will tell. Thanks for all your kind assistance.