With the rise of COVID-19 cases across the globe, a number of myths surrounding the diseases started to bind people from using Chinese products. One such rumor that spread like wildfire was that coronavirus spreads through Chinese food. 

Many people boycotted Chinese food and Chinese food companies as a result of this. It seemed to connect with people as the coronavirus was first reported in China in December.

The racial discrimination around Chinese food cannot be eliminated easily but the myth associated with it has been dispelled by global health agencies. The European Food Safety Association (EFSA) said that there is no proof till now to show that a person can contract coronavirus by eating Chinese food. 

The EFSA said that while the virus is likely to have originated from the animals in China, the transmission of virus happens from people to people, mainly via respiratory droplets that people sneeze, cough, or exhale. 

https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/coronavirus-no-evidence-food-source-or-transmission-route

EFSA’s chief scientist, Marta Hugas, said: “Experiences from previous outbreaks of related coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), show that transmission through food consumption did not occur. At the moment, there is no evidence to suggest that coronavirus is any different in this respect.”

There have not been any reports till now that says that coronavirus transmits through food, an EFSA report said. 

However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued some precautionary recommendations including the advice of practicing good hygiene, even during handling food and preparations, like washing hands thoroughly, and avoiding potential contamination between cooked and uncooked food.