Latest advice on washing food after you go shopping

With the UK in lockdown going to the supermarket can be a daunting experience.

There are usually queues to get in as numbers inside are restricted and in many places you are ordered to shop alone - with one trolley.

There are also restrictions on what you can buy, many tills are closed, staff are wearing masks and new plastic shields have been erected at the counter.

So do all these precautions mean your food or food packaging could also be contaminated with coronavirus?

The UK government has issued advice for the public relating to the transmission of the potentially deadly bug on food, reports North Wales Live.

The guidance states that "it is very unlikely that you can catch coronavirus from food" because respiratory illnesses are "not known to be transmitted by exposure to food or food packaging" - the Food Standards Agency provided a similar statement earlier this month.

Anyone concerned about the potential contamination of coronavirus on their food however has been assured in the new guidance that, even if it was present on food, "cooking thoroughly will kill the virus."

The advice also urges the public to wash their hands regularly with soap and water - as has been recommended by the NHS since the beginning of the outbreak - particularly before handling food or eating.

The new information stresses that the risk of coronavirus cross-contamination on food and packaging is "very low."

It urges that food businesses must adhere to hygiene and safety procedures, and that staff in the industry are "required to maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness and wear suitable, clean clothing."

Providing advice to the public themselves, the document explains: "When you are buying loose foods such as fruit, vegetables, or bread in a bakery, try and only touch what you are going to buy."

Customers are also reminded that they must maintain a two metre distance between themselves and others, and "only buy what you need."

As mentioned previously, officials urge the public to follow general hygiene procedures when handling food - particularly in relation to raw fruit, leafy salads and vegetables.

This includes washing fresh produce to "help remove any contamination on the surface" and peeling outer layers of certain items.

The public are however warned not to wash raw chicken or other meat as this can lead to cross-contamination in the kitchen.

Additionally, the new guidance recommends using a food-safe disinfectant when cleaning surfaces - suggesting that using hot, soapy water is a suitable alternative if cleaning products are in limited supply locally.

The UK Government adds: " If you have been shopping, there should be no need to sanitise the outer packaging of food.

"This is because food businesses are required to have a system for managing food safety in place, which should include keeping packaging clean.

"You should still follow good hygiene practice by washing your hands after handling any outer packaging."

The advice says takeaway orders are not prohibited or considered particularly unsafe.

It notes: "Orders should not be made in person on the premises. You should order online or by telephone in advance.

"If you are collecting your food in person from a takeaway or restaurant which offers a pick-up service, you should adhere to the social distancing rules set out by the food business."

This may include having a staggered collection time or queueing with 2 metre separation from other customers.

The guidance adds that "it is safe to have takeaway food delivered," if the business providing the food follows the safety guidance.

If a customer considers a takeaway providers to not maintain good hygiene practices - or if the driver won't maintain a two metre distance when delivery the food - they should reconsider placing the order.