CNN – Chinese authorities say a sample of frozen chicken wings imported from Brazil has tested positive for coronavirus in Shenzhen.
The sample was tested during a screening of imported frozen food in Longgang district of Shenzhen, the local government said but did not name the brand. But there seems to be little reason for worry as the health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have said the possibility of catching the virus through food is low.
Shenzhen health authorities said they have traced and tested people who might have come into contact with the frozen product, and all results came back negative. The statement said all related products in stock have been sealed off and tested negative.
Authorities are now tracing related products from the same brand that have already been sold, and have disinfected the area where the contaminated chicken wings were stored.
In a statement, the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) said that it is analysing the incident and reiterated that “there is no scientific evidence that meat transmits the virus.”
“It is not yet clear when the packaging was contaminated, and whether it occurred during the export transportation process,” ABPA said.
The Brazilian agriculture ministry released a note stating that it has not been officially notified by Chinese authorities of the incident.
Brazil has so far reported more than 3.1 million coronavirus cases, the second highest in the world after the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University’s tally.
News of the contaminated chicken wings comes a day after coronavirus was found on the packaging of shrimps imported from Ecuador at a restaurant in eastern Anhui province during a routine inspection, CCTV reported.
Since July, there have been seven instances where the virus was detected on the packaging of imported seafood products across the country, state media reports say.
‘No evidence’ of transmission via food
The WHO says it is “highly unlikely that people can contract Covid-19 from food or food packaging.” According to the CDC, the risk of infection by the virus from food products, food packaging, or bags is “thought to be very low.”
Both organisations point out that the coronavirus spreads mostly person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
While it is possible to catch Covid-19 by touching a surface or object — including food or food packaging that has the virus on it — and then touching your mouth, nose, or possibly eyes, it is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, according to the CDC.
“There is no evidence to date of viruses that cause respiratory illnesses being transmitted via food or food packaging. Coronaviruses cannot multiply in food; they need an animal or human host to multiply,” the WHO says.
