How to sanitise groceries to prevent infection due to Coronavirus

Sneha Biswas | Apr 8, 2020, 12:35 IST
As experts from all around the world continue to counter the deadly outbreak due to covid-19, global citizens can curb the contagious virus by adhering to the social distancing guidelines. While most of the countries are under lockdown, it’s important to cut down on in-person interaction by staying indoors. Although during the lockdown you might have to step out to get your groceries and other essential items. But this should not be a problem because the nobel coronavirus is less likely to spread through food. According to a recent study, the virus can survive on different surfaces for days so it is better to cleanse each item before using them. One must also take extra precautions for going out to buy their groceries, handling any item from outside and storing them at home. In every step, it is crucial to keep santising hands.

Before stepping your foot outside of your safe home, make sure you are wearing a face mask and carrying a sanitiser. You may wear disposable gloves to further reduce the risk of catching the infection.It is best to let only one member of the house out for doing the essential shopping, the person should be the healthiest of all. It is best to avoid touching different surfaces when outside and sanitise your hands after touching the shopping cart or door handles. Making an online payment is preferable.

Once you return home, leave the carton outside and take a shower immediately. Don’t forget to wash your clothes. Ideally, the germs survive on surfaces for twenty-four to seventy-two hours, it is best to use those items only after that duration. Disinfect the items by wiping the bleach solution over the glass and plastic containers. Other goods must be thoroughly cleansed with water. You may soak your vegetables or fruits in an ozone-based vegetable/fruit cleanser. Otherwise dipping your vegetables and fruits in diluted vinegar, salt or lemon water for few hours can also do the trick. Once done soaking, leave them to dry for safety.

Before cleaning your groceries wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds and repeat once you are done with sanitising each product. The shopping bag or the carton must be discarded too. Make sure you wash your hands after and before cooking and handling groceries.

It is best to limit your visit to the grocery store and even if you do, you must cleanse every item as anything from outside can be potentially infected.

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