In this time we’re in, unlike any other experienced in our lifetime, I thought it would be helpful to share some sensible Coronavirus food safety tips, covering how to sanitise food and what I’m doing to ensure food safety.
SUMMARY
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Coronavirus believed to survive up to 3 days on surfaces
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Wash all fresh produce in warm soapy water
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Only eat cooked foods to be extra cautious
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For the vulnerable – extra precaution – wash all food jars and packets, and personal hygiene items that will touch your face
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Skip takeout from fast food joints. Support local restaurants by asking for takeaway food you can reheat at home.
Background
Though Coronavirus cannot be passed through food because it needs a living host to survive, it does persist on surfaces. The exact time is still unknown, but the World Health Organisation says it may be for a few hours or up to 3 days. (Excerpt here)
Accordingly, I sanitise my fresh produce – and in this post I explain how I do it.
How to sanitise food
I wash all my fresh produce (fruits and vegetables) in warm soapy water just like I’m doing the dishes. I used to use just water – or salt or vinegar for some things.
Grossed out? I was too, initially. But you can’t taste the detergent and even lettuce remains crispy if you use this method:
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Fill sink with hot water and some detergent – as though you are about to do the dishes;
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Fill a 2nd sink with cold water (or clean bucket or similar);
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Separate stems/leaves for things like spinach and lettuce for easy access to clean;
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Plunge fruit and vegetables into soapy water. Swish it around and scrub if necessary. Work in small batches to reduce time in hot water;
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Transfer into cold water to rinse off suds. Work quickly so lettuce and other perky veg doesn’t wilt;
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Dry – Pile onto dish rack and colanders to drain and dry; and
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Store as you ordinarily do.
I clean all vegetables whether I intend to cook with them or not because:
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I store all my produce bundled/piled together; and
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it is not yet known at what temperature Coronavirus is killed during cooking (or how long you have to cook for).
If you can’t be bothered or don’t have time to go through the above, I’d recommend only eating cooked foods. (Or if you want to be extra cautious) The longer you cook, the safer it gets (not yet any definitive guidance on how long you need to cook for).
Vinegar and salt – not as effective
In the past, I’d wash produce with just water, or use either salt or vinegar in a sink full of water to clean my produce. But it’s pretty well documented that while this will kill bugs and some bacteria, it doesn’t kill viruses.
Some general points
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Meat, fish, seafood – I don’t wash because they’re cooked
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Food and ingredients in cans, jars and packets – I don’t wash but see note below for vulnerable people
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Dried beans scooped from bins – cooked so I don’t wash
Vulnerable people – extra measures
I do not generally wash jars of sauces and spreads, cans of beans or packets of noodles – though today, I did wash a can of tuna I had just bought in the morning because I ate it straight out of the can (desperate food on the run!).
However, if I had a vulnerable person in my household (elderly or weak immune system) then I would wash every single item that entered the kitchen OR “quarantine” them for 3 days (eg in a box, separate fridge):
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bottles and jars of sauces, spreads
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cans of vegetables
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packets of noodles, dried beans, frozen vegetables
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bottles of fruit juice, drinks
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packets of dried herbs
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meat (wash the packet)
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toothpaste, face wash, shaving cream and any personal hygiene things that will be used on the face
Paper packaging
For things like flour and sugar that are sometimes in paper packaging (where water would soak through), I would wipe the packets down with disinfectant wipes, or spray then wipe.
Things that are cooked have an extra safety net, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
No fast food. Make it yourself.
If there was ever a time to make homemade meals, it would be now.
Skip the fast food. KFC, Maccers, Dominos. The big chains that operate like factories who hire kids to work after school.
….BUT support your locals. MY IDEAS!!
On the other hand, as I offer advice to avoid takeout, I also feel a strong moral and sentimental obligation to support our hard working and incredibly talented hospitality industry.
Restaurant workers can’t work from home. They can’t teleconference in.
So the pandemic threatens to wipe out restaurants, cafes and bars across our country.
I believe the hygiene management practices of reputable establishments are far better than any I can do in my own home. These people are professionals!
One girl and her dog can’t save an entire industry, but she CAN offer suggestions to help support local businesses:
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Ask your favourite restaurants (no matter how fancy!) for takeaway food that can be reheated at home;
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Skip fast food. Now is not the time for Maccers or Dominos. Use your takeout budget to support the family run businesses and reputable restaurants;
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Talk to the restaurant owners and read their website – hear what they’re doing to make things safe for diners. It will bring you comfort (this is what I did at my local bistros and favourite city restaurants);
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Gift vouchers!!!
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Organise a fancy fine dining dinner party IN with your favourite people! Take out from your favourite restaurants and save a ton of money by drinking your own booze and no cab fare home! Many high end dining establishments in Sydney are now looking to offer home meals as a creative means to address their empty restaurants (here’s the Gourmet Traveller live list) – and I’m hoping this is happening around the world.
Let’s support the hard working locals who put their heart and soul into making incredible food for us to enjoy during the good times. Now it’s OUR TURN to support them during the hard times. I’m taking friends to my favourite local Afghani restaurant tomorrow night!
Stay positive – we will get through this!
To everybody who is struggling in these hard times – stay strong! We are all in it together. In my very small way, I want to try to help how I can – by trying to keep your life delicious by providing efficient meal plans and tips for smart pantry items so you don’t waste money and food on wild panic buying sprees.
If you are feeling down, leave a message on one of these posts I’ve been sharing about Coronavirus. I feel so incredibly fortunate to be part of a wonderful community of readers from all around the world who takes the time to help each other out, especially during difficult times like this.
Think positive.
Act responsibly.
Be kind to others.
Stay safe and well! – Nagi x
Life of Dozer
Available for virtual hugs, 24-7!
Hi Nagi – what a great idea to to put up menu plans with shopping lists! And I love the idea of eating out, in Thank you!
I’m in Adelaide and so far we’ve just had the 1 week lockdown, but I can’t help but feel ‘It’ is lurking at the state borders. I really feel for you all in NSW, but bad times don’t last forever, and you’ll all come through 🙂
I read a good tip the other day: if you can’t be kind, be kinder.
Love & hugs, Heather
I’m so glad I discovered you and Dozer. I love all the recipes you send and try them out although have favourites. I loved Postcards from Tasmania as lived there 17 years and all the places were familiar and bought back happy memories I shared with my husband who has sadly passed away. My companion now is Baxter a cavoodle who is like a person and equates to how you talk about Dozer. Firmly hooked on your recipes but one I use a lot is the Chinese Corn Soup with chicken. Converted even my gluten free friends. I’m also teaching my 13 year old grandson to cook using your recipes as once ingredients assembled everything cooks quickly, especially the Asian ones. Thank you, take care Rosie and Baxter 🐶
Hi Nagi. I just wanted to say thank you. I am a person who never comments on anything, but I have to send you some love. Since we entered lockdown in Melbourne a few months back with just a brief respite, your recipes have become my go to when I’m out of ideas. And they are always so good when I follow all your tips. The family are loving it. I also appreciate all your positive messages to everyone and of course the life of Dozer! Keep it coming.
Thanks Nagi! <3 <3 <3 for you …and Dozer, of course!
Love all your recipes. I have been trying when ever I plan a dinner for my friends and I share the recipes with them. Due to Covid we have not been entertaining since March. I hope and wish we would be able to enjoy our friends and good food soon. Thank you for your great recipes and your tips.
Hi Nagi. I feel fortunate to have found such a wonderful person and your recipes aren’t half bad either 😉 I ve shared ‘you’ with my children. Notwithstanding that covid19 put a halt to our airbnb business for our safety, we are positive and wish everyone a happy future. Love from Malta xx
Hi Nagi,
I’m so glad I found you. I’m trying more and more recipes from you. I love the easy, speed and convenience – not to mention the taste.
Thank you!
Fiona
I put my flours, rice and beans in the freezer for a few days, usually ends up being a week LOL It’s been my standard practice for years as it seems to kill any weevils etc. Would this work for the virus too do you think?
Thank you for validating all my precautions. I do wash everything including cans and plastic packages. Paper products get the one to one bleach and water wipe down. It’s important to let this sit on the container or wrap for at least 10 minutes before another wipe down, if you feel the need. Many years ago traveling hippies knew that soaking everything in chlorinated tap water for at least an hour killed off undesirables. One more thing I feel is important to stress. Even during normal times cleaning produce is extremely important. Workers picking crops out on these huge farms don’t raise their hands and ask to go to the restroom. They go where they work. And trust me my fellow pickers would kick my rump if I decided to urinate in everyone’s pathway. So guess where they go…..I’m not saying directly on the crops but splatter is splatter. I’m an old ER nurse and visions of coughs and sneezes also make me run to the sink. 😁💕
Hi Nagi. I have requested this before but unfortunately still have never received your 3 books. When I try & apply again it says I’ve already asked before. Thanks 😊 Nagi.
Regards Joy
Hi Joy – shoot me an e-mail and I can email them to you. The free e-books are also in every email I send out too 🙂 N x
Hello Nagi! 1st time on your site. I’m cooking slowcook turkey breast tomorrow. And apple cake. You are very talented. Thank you for all the work and love you have put into your exceptionally fine recipes & photos. I’ll share your site with my sisters! Thank you and bless you.
That’s great to hear Nancy, thanks so much! N x
Simply, thank you.
Thank you SO much Patricia! N x
Very pleased to see the advice for sanitising fresh fruit and veg, but what about fresh unwrapped bread?
Hi Gay, I always purchase my bread wrapped, during the current climate I dont purchase unwrapped items like that (or ill simply make my own bread 🙂 ) N x
Fine dining party??The police will be at your door in no time.
Hi Adolf, this was posted before restrictions were put in place – Nagi
I wash my veg and fruits in water with baking soda. Leave them for about 10 minutes and then rinse and dry.
Perfect Lidia! N x
What would you advise for cleaning bulk mushrooms? Getting them wet not a great idea
Thank you for the upbeat humor, We will all have enough to cry about before this is over. My brother is in the hospital with COVID-19, and my 90 year old Dad has been exposed to it. Enough of the scary. Where can I buy those earrings? They a beautiful! Stay safe and well.
All the best to you and your family Redonia, stay safe!!
Recently discovered you and congratulate you on a great site. Nagi restaurants are closed here in Melbourne, sad for the industry and our population who by and large are foodies I’d venture to say.
Many restaurants are providing take out and I’m sure they have support of fans but yours was a timely reminder to go the extra mile/kilometre to help them. Thousands of hospitality staff are without jobs, tragic.
Thanks so much Lynda, and yes, I really feel for all the industries that are getting hit – it’s going to be a tough time for all! N x
That was nagi not magi haha
Magi.you are being an absolute godsend through this,stay safe and thanx.
Thanks so much Kev! N x