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Canadian Beef Information Gateway
Here are the steps you can take to safe guard food at home and while shopping. Click on each of the coloured icons to learn more information and tips
There is currently no evidence that food is a likely source or route of transmission of COVID-19. Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- COVID-19 virus is known to spread by water droplets from coughs/sneezes.
- To date there have been no reports of domestic livestock being infected or sick with COVID-19.
For general kitchen hygiene tips check out the Food Safety at Home resource. Follow the basic safe food handling tenants:
- Cook – heat foods to proper temperatures
- Chill – keep perishables cold, refrigerate at 4˚C at the most
- Clean – wash your hands, and kitchen food prep surfaces and utensils well
- Separate – keep cook foods separate from raw foods, especially raw seafood, meats/poultry and eggs
Wash hands often.
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water. The bubbles and foam from soap lather damage the virus and also help remove it from your hands.
- Scrub for at least 20 seconds with warm water (not scalding hot), about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
- Frequently clean cloth towels used for drying or use disposable paper towels.
- If soap and water are not available, hands can be cleaned with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS) that contains at least 60% alcohol. For visibly soiled hands, soiling should be removed with an alcohol-based hand wipe first, followed by use of ABHS.
For general kitchen hygiene tips check out the Food Safety at Home resource. Follow the basic safe food handling tenants:
- Cook – heat foods to proper temperatures
- Chill – keep perishables cold, refrigerate at 4˚C at the most
- Clean – wash your hands, and kitchen food prep surfaces and utensils well
- Separate – keep cook foods separate from raw foods, especially raw seafood, meats/poultry and eggs
- Avoid touching your face, especially with unwashed hands.
- The virus may be able to enter the body through your eyes, nose and mouth.
For general kitchen hygiene tips check out the Food Safety at Home resource. Follow the basic safe food handling tenants:
- Cook – heat foods to proper temperatures
- Chill – keep perishables cold, refrigerate at 4˚C at the most
- Clean – wash your hands, and kitchen food prep surfaces and utensils well
- Separate – keep cook foods separate from raw foods, especially raw seafood, meats/poultry and eggs
- Shop at times when there are fewer shoppers or have your groceries delivered.
- Keep a 2 metre distance from other shoppers.
- Disinfect the handle of grocery carts and baskets.
- Wash or sanitize hands before entering and after leaving the store.
- Do not shop if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
For general kitchen hygiene tips check out the Food Safety at Home resource. Follow the basic safe food handling tenants:
- Cook – heat foods to proper temperatures
- Chill – keep perishables cold, refrigerate at 4˚C at the most
- Clean – wash your hands, and kitchen food prep surfaces and utensils well
- Separate – keep cook foods separate from raw foods, especially raw seafood, meats/poultry and eggs
- While the risk from surfaces is thought to be low, active virus is more likely to be found on hard surfaces such as those made from plastic or steel.
- If a surface is visibly dirty, clean it with soap and water first and then disinfect.
- To disinfect you can use a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) or a commercial product.
- Use gloves to protect hands, follow manufacturer’s instructions and wash hands immediately after cleaning.
- Prevent the spread of germs. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with your arm or tissues to reduce the spread of germs.
For general kitchen hygiene tips check out the Food Safety at Home resource. Follow the basic safe food handling tenants:
- Cook – heat foods to proper temperatures
- Chill – keep perishables cold, refrigerate at 4˚C at the most
- Clean – wash your hands, and kitchen food prep surfaces and utensils well
- Separate – keep cook foods separate from raw foods, especially raw seafood, meats/poultry and eggs
Practice the basic food safety tips.
For general kitchen hygiene tips check out the Food Safety at Home resource. Follow the basic safe food handling tenants:
- Cook – heat foods to proper temperatures
- Chill – keep perishables cold, refrigerate at 4˚C at the most
- Clean – wash your hands, and kitchen food prep surfaces and utensils well
- Separate – keep cook foods separate from raw foods, especially raw seafood, meats/poultry and eggs
- If you are feeling unwell, don’t prepare food for others. Even if you feel healthy, if you are self isolating, don’t prepare foods for others unless they are isolating with you.
- Practice the basic food safety tips such as using a separate clean tasting spoon each time you taste during food prep.
For general kitchen hygiene tips check out the Food Safety at Home resource. Follow the basic safe food handling tenants:
- Cook – heat foods to proper temperatures
- Chill – keep perishables cold, refrigerate at 4˚C at the most
- Clean – wash your hands, and kitchen food prep surfaces and utensils well
- Separate – keep cook foods separate from raw foods, especially raw seafood, meats/poultry and eggs
Measures to reduce risk:
- Discourage sharing food or drinks or cutlery
- Cancel or postpone gatherings during public health requests for self isolation and distancing. Try offering virtual participation, live streaming to allow participation from a distance.
Tap into your local public health unit for the most up to date and regional recommendations and advisor.
For general kitchen hygiene tips check out the Food Safety at Home resource. Follow the basic safe food handling tenants:
- Cook – heat foods to proper temperatures
- Chill – keep perishables cold, refrigerate at 4˚C at the most
- Clean – wash your hands, and kitchen food prep surfaces and utensils well
- Separate – keep cook foods separate from raw foods, especially raw seafood, meats/poultry and eggs
It is more important than ever to follow food safety basics to avoid visits to your doctor or hospital during this COVID-19 pandemic.
For general kitchen hygiene tips check out the Food Safety at Home resource. Follow the basic safe food handling tenants:
- Cook – heat foods to proper temperatures
- Chill – keep perishables cold, refrigerate at 4˚C at the most
- Clean – wash your hands, and kitchen food prep surfaces and utensils well
- Separate – keep cook foods separate from raw foods, especially raw seafood, meats/poultry and eggs
For helpful tips on how to shop safely, watch this video clip from the Retail Council of Canada “COVID-19 Smart Shopping”
Here are some further tips on handling food safely during COVID-19 cooking & shopping
- Don’t go to the store if you are self-isolating after travel or being in contact with someone traveling or infected.
- Wash or sanitize hands before entering and after leaving the store.
- Limit touching of foods or packages in the store. Select what item you touch first.
- Wipe re-useable shopping bags with sanitize spray and pack your own groceries.
- Wash hands well after unpacking groceries at home.
- Grocery store staff are providing an essential service to you and your community. Protect their health and safety by keeping 2 meters away. Smile and say Thank you – they need your emotional support!
- Wash your hands before and after handling each fresh food: produce, meats, eggs, cheeses and more.
- Wash fresh produce well prior to eating especially if you are not cooking them.
- Wash produce that you peel or cut before eating, foods like melons, oranges and cucumbers.
- Keep produce separate from meat, poultry & seafood and their juices.
- Don’t put washed produce back into their store-packaging without washing the packaging first with soapy water.
- Never place cooked food on an unwashed plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, seafood or eggs or raw unwashed fruits and vegetables.
- Clean food prep surfaces of dirt or juices before you disinfect.
- Launder kitchen cloths often with the hottest water and a bit of bleach if possible.
- Don’t share food that you handled with your hands. Pour out individual portions of chips, popcorn or other snacks.
- If someone in your household is self-isolating, serve food to their room until isolation-timing has passed.
- Wash hands well after managing dirty dishes. Ideally, and if using a dishwasher, ideally have each family member load their own dirty dishes.
- For the most current and reliable information on COVID-19 visit ca/coronavirus or call 1-833-784-4397
- For the most up-to-date recommendations in your region contact your local Public Health authority.
- For general kitchen hygiene tips check out the Food Safety at Home
- Cook – heat foods to proper temperatures
- Chill – keep perishables cold, refrigerate at 4˚C at the most
- Clean – wash your hands, and kitchen food prep surfaces and utensils well
- Separate – keep cook foods separate from raw foods, especially raw seafood, meats/poultry and eggs