Farmed finfish and shellfish are a safe choice for consumers say a diverse group of scientists
By SeaWestNews
If there is one animal protein that you can consume without concern during the current COVID-19 pandemic, its seafood, say a plethora of scientists who presented their findings in a new study.
The peer-reviewed paper, which was published in Asian Fisheries Science concludes SARS-CoV-2 cannot infect aquatic food animals, and that the virus has no direct role in spreading COVID-19 to humans.
The paper, in response to some rumours about seafood and COVID-19, was authored by aquatic animal health, aquaculture, fisheries, food safety and veterinary specialists from organisations including the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
“Decreased consumption of aquatic food animals has been reported in some countries, in part due to misconceptions regarding the risk of viral transmission,” the paper said, stressing that aquatic animals – including farmed finfish and shellfish – are still a safe choice for consumers.
“Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that SARS-CoV-2 can infect aquatic food animals (eg finfish, crustaceans, molluscs, amphibians) and therefore these animals do not play an epidemiological role in spreading COVID-19 to humans. Aquatic food animals and their products, like any other surface, may potentially become contaminated with SARS-CoV-2, especially when handled by people who are infected with the virus. Nevertheless, with proper food handling and sanitation, the likelihood of contamination of aquatic animals or their products with SARS-CoV-2 should be negligible,” the scientists said.
Here are the key conclusions form the paper;
To view the full paper go here
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