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Press conference on forestalling inbound transmissions, strengthening supervision over imported cold-chain food

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China Food Safety News:

I would like to ask what consumers should do during an outbreak when they are unsure if the food they are buying is from an infected area. In this case, how could they handle the food and make sure the food is safe to eat? Thanks.

Li Ning:

Thanks for your question. This issue is of great concern to consumers. I'd like to remind consumers that there are five keys to food safety recommended by the WHO including keeping food clean; separating raw and cooked food; cooking thoroughly; keeping food at safe temperatures; and using safe water and raw materials. The things I want to particularly mentioned are as follows:

First, carefully clean food before cooking it, and avoid splashing water.

Second, cook food thoroughly. Normal temperatures used for cooking at home can kill the coronavirus and other pathogenic microorganisms, which is critical to food safety.

Third, to separate raw and cooked. Use separate equipment and utensils, such as knives and cutting boards. Especially when handling raw meat and aquatic products, consumers should pay attention to avoid cross-contamination.

Fourth, clean and disinfect the table, equipment and utensils after food preparation and cooking.

Lastly, maintain good hygiene habits. Consumers should wash their hands before and after handling food, including packaging the food, and avoid touching the mouth, eyes and nose during food preparation.

If consumers do the things mentioned above correctly, then food safety will be ensured, and the food is safe to eat. Thanks.

Hu Qiangqiang:

Because of the time limit, that concludes today's question-and-answer session. Thanks for our friends from the media as well as our speakers.

Tomorrow is July 11, which is the 31st World Population Day. We will hold a press conference on safeguarding the health of women and girls during the novel coronavirus epidemic prevention and control. You are welcome to join.

That's all for today's press conference.

Translated and edited by Zhang Liying, Wang Qian, Fan Junmei, Wang Yanfang, Yan Xiaoqing, Zhou Jing, Li Xiao, Wang Yiming, Zhang Rui, Guo Yiming, Zhang Junmian, Wu Jin, Li Huiru, Cui Can, He Shan, Yang Xi, Duan Yaying, Jay Berbeck, David Ball, Laura Zheng, Geoffrey Murray.

In case of any dispute over a discrepancy, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.