The new COVID-19 has wreaked havoc across the globe. Sorry folks, but COVID-19 not only exists on hard surfaces, but can live on the surface of your fruits and vegetables.
As we know, the coronavirus can survive on hard surfaces such as plastic and steel for hours – and in some cases, days – but it turns out, your fruit and vegetables can also be carriers of the virus. It all comes down to objects being constantly contaminated every time they are handled.
COVID-19, like “cold and flu” viruses, is spread when we cough, splutter, and sneeze. When you do that, clouds of spit droplets billow out, ready to be breathed in by those around you. These droplets also land on any surface within about a 6-foot radius.
Every time you wipe your eyes, nose, or mouth, virus-laden fluids end up on your fingers, ready to be wiped on anything you touch next – countertops, door handles, and your food. You can only imagine what’s lying on the surfaces of loose fruit and vegetables in the grocery store. Fruits and vegetables are constantly being touched!
This doesn’t mean you should stop buying fresh produce. We need food. It’s just a reminder to be more mindful before consuming them. Give them a good cleaning!
The FDA recommends following these steps to cleaning your fruit and vegetables:
- Wash hands for 20-seconds with warm water and soap
- Check for any damage or bruising and cut these away before preparing or eating
- Rinse produce before you peel it to ensure dirt and bacteria aren’t transferred from the knife onto the fruit or vegetable
- Gently rub produce while holding under running water
- Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce such as cucumbers, potatoes and apples
- Thoroughly dry produce with a clean cloth or paper towel
- For lettuce and cabbage, remove the outermost leaves and discard
Basically, any surface can be a potential risk. People become infected by touching anything that has been contaminated, transferring the virus when they wipe their own eyes, nose, or mouth. When it comes to COVID-19, there is a concern about contaminated surfaces, because the virus is mostly spread that way.
The COVID-19 virus can remain stable on various surfaces. Research has shown that the virus can live:
- In the air: Up to 3 hours
- Copper surfaces: Up to 4 hours
- Cardboard: Up to 24 hours
- Plastic and steel: Up to 72 hours
The moral of the story?? Keep clean!! Wipe down ALL surfaces, including your fruits and vegetables, and most importantly, continuing washing your hands before you go anywhere near your face.
Sources
- https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/new-coronavirus-stable-hours-surfaces
- https://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/health/health-news/sorry-but-covid19-can-live-on-the-surface-of-your-fruit-and-veg/news-story/17d92664fdd178bf3f3edb6eaa9f6df0 https://www.lbcnews.co.uk/uk-news/coronavirus-how-long-does-covid-19-live-surfaces/