Audio By Carbonatix
Two cities in China have found traces of the new coronavirus in imported frozen food and on food packaging, local authorities said on Thursday, raising fears that contaminated food shipments might cause new outbreaks.
A sample taken from the surface of frozen chicken wings imported into the southern city of Shenzhen from Brazil, as well as samples of outer packaging of frozen Ecuadorian shrimp sold in the northwestern Xian city, have tested positive for the virus, local authorities said on Thursday.
The discoveries came a day after traces of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 were found on the packaging of frozen shrimp from Ecuador in a city in eastern Anhui province. China has been stepping up screenings at ports amid the concerns over food imports.
Shenzhen’s health authorities traced and tested everyone who might have come into contact with potentially contaminated food products, and all results were negative, the city’s notice said.
The Brazilian embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not immediately reach the Ecuadorean embassy in Beijing.
“It is hard to say at which stage the frozen chicken got infected,” said a China-based official at a Brazilian meat exporter.
The Shenzhen Epidemic Prevention and Control Headquarters said the public needed to take precautions to reduce infection risks from imported meat and seafood.
The health commission of Shannxi province, where Xian city is located, said authorities are testing people and the surrounding environment connected to the contaminated shrimp products sold in a local market.
In addition to screening all meat and seafood containers coming into major ports in recent months, China has suspended some meat imports from various origins, including Brazil, since mid-June.
The first cluster of Covid-19 cases was linked to the Huanan seafood market in the city of Wuhan. Initial studies suggested the virus originated in animal products on sale at the market.
Li Fengqin, who heads a microbiology lab at the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment told reporters in June the possibility of contaminated frozen food causing new infections could not be ruled out.
Viruses can survive up to two years at temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius, but scientists say there is no strong evidence so far the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 can spread via frozen food.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana explores centre of excellence for hearing, communication and cochlear implant care
1 hour -
Schizophrenia-related disorders lead mental health cases recorded in Ghana
1 hour -
Dutch authorities enlist Ghana in hunt for fugitive drug lord Bolle Jos
2 hours -
Ghana housing finance conference adopts communiqué to improve affordable housing access
6 hours -
Special Initiatives Minister urges Wa Technical Institute to enrol more girls as EU-backed solar training lab opens
7 hours -
In the matter of my first year at the Bar
7 hours -
ActionAid Ghana calls for an end to child marriage, greater investment in girls’ rights
7 hours -
Newsfile to tackle World Cup visa scandal, beach demolitions, education strikes, BRICS bid
7 hours -
UK-Ghana Trade & Investment Summit: Trade Resource Centre to help businesses maximise UK-Ghana trade opportunities
8 hours -
Embassy of Denmark celebrates World Maritime Day
8 hours -
Linking LEAP to productive inclusion could cut extreme poverty by 2030 – UNICEF
9 hours -
Trade Ministry backs use of creative arts to rehabilitate prison inmates
9 hours -
Negotiations with government to continue despite strike suspension – GNAT
9 hours -
‘Ghana cannot afford to waste public resources; every cedi has a job’ – Ato Forson
9 hours -
Ghana expects economic boost as World Assemblies of God Congress brings 10,000 delegates to Accra
9 hours