USDA and FDA declared that export restrictions due to COVID-19 are not consistent with science

China suspended imported poultry from Tyson and poultry plants in the United Kingdom and Germany, after recent COVID-19 outbreaks at or near the plants. As a result of the suspension, the USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn issued a joint statement addressing food export restrictions tied to COVID-19, emphasizing that there is no evidence that people can contract the virus from food or food packaging. "Efforts by some countries to restrict global food exports related to COVID-19 transmission are not consistent with the known science of transmission," the USDA and FDA said Wednesday. "There is no evidence that people can contract COVID-19 from food or food packaging. The U.S. food safety system, overseen by our agencies, is the global leader in ensuring the safety of our food products, including products for export." Tyson signed certification requested by China, saying that meat shipments are free of the novel coronavirus. The statement from USDA and FDA reiterates previously published guidelines from the CDC stating there is a lack of evidence to suggest handling or consuming food is associated with COVID-19. @ https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/92866