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Ordering takeout right now is a great way to support local restaurants and give yourself a break from cooking. It’s also a great compromise if you are not ready to experiment with going out to restaurants yet. However, when ordering takeout during Covid, it’s normal to question how safe it is–and what potential dangers you should avoid.
With that in mind, keep reading for the worst thing to order for takeout right now.
First, it's important to note that there is no current evidence to suggest that coronavirus can be contracted through food.
Erin DiCaprio, PhD, assistant specialist of community food safety in UC Davis’ food science and technology department, told Women's Health: "There is currently no evidence of SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, being transmitted by food or food packaging."
"SARS-CoV-2 is spread by respiratory droplet not by the fecal-oral route, which is how foodborne pathogens are spread," she continues.
However, it is a good idea to stick to restaurants you trust right now--places you know will practice proper health and safety procedures while preparing your food.
DiCaprio explains, "This requires strict controls on hand washing and making sure that no one that is sick prepares food, among many additional safety measures."
She continues, "I highlight these two because they are really the most important in ensuring that there is no cross contamination of food with SARS-CoV-2 during preparation. Most have also implemented other controls, such as wearing face masks, as an added precaution."
With that in mind, the risk of contracting coronavirus from takeout food is low--especially if you are using curbside pickup or contactless delivery.
However, if you are still nervous, it's a good idea to stick to food that has been cooked.
Dr. Lina Velikova, MD, Ph.D., medical advisor at Supplements101, explains, "My best advice would be to order anything that is hot and is cooked in the oven. High temperatures disintegrate COVID-19 pretty quickly, so anything that was baked or nuked for a few minutes should be 99% safe to eat."
"So next time you go to the restaurant, try to order anything that is oven-baked to reduce your chances of COVID-19 infection," she says.
