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No proof of COVID19 spread through meat, says FSSAI interim CEO Ayyangar
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Saturday, 07 March, 2020, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has said that there is no scientific analysis yet to prove that the Coronavirus spreads through the consumption of meat, fish or chicken. This was stated by G S G Ayyangar, interim chief executive officer of the country’s apex food regulator.
Ayyangar, who was earlier with the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), was given interim charge of the FSSAI CEO’s post.
Meanwhile, to address the concerns raised regarding safety of such foods, the regulator has constituted a committee of experts to examine possibilities of the presence of Coronavirus in imported food items.
In its report, it opined that, as of now, there was no conclusive evidence of the food-borne transmission of the virus.
In a statement, FSSAI said, “Coronavirus predominately affects the respiratory system and spread from human to human via droplets while sneezing, coughing, contaminated hands and surfaces.”
“The Committee agreed with the advisories of global organisations that the predominant routes of transmission of Coronavirus appear to be human to human. It also clarified that meat from cooked livestock, including poultry, is safe to eat,” the regulator added.
However, as a precautionary measure, it advised people to avoid the consumption of raw or undercooked meat as well as unprocessed food products.
Further, the advisory said that frozen food items must be consumed only after cooking them properly, while good hygienic practices must be followed before consuming raw fruits and vegetables.
FSSAI is keeping a close watch on the situation. It will continue to gather and monitor evidences from international agencies and scientific communities of any such transmission leading to Coronavirus, and will take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of food products.
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