The COVID-19 Novel Corona Virus Pandemic has been raging across the world for several months now. Despite being around for long, there are still a number of unknown variables about the Virus and where there is something unknown it gives rise to apprehensions! It has already been established that the COVID Virus spreads through air, physical contact and also contact with any contaminated surfaces. Recently, two cities in China reported that they had found traces of the Corona Virus in frozen Chicken Wings imported from Brazil, which is the second most COVID infected country in the world! There were also reports of corona virus traces on the outer packaging of frozen shrimp imported from Ecuador! These reports began raising fears of a new wave of COVID infections spreading through contaminated food shipments!

The World Health Organisation has now issued a statement asking people to not worry about COVID spreading through packaged food! The WHO Head of Emergencies Programme - Mike Ryan addressed a briefing in Geneva and here he told, "There is no evidence that food or the food chain is participating in transmission of this Virus. And people should feel comfortable and safe!" WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove stated that China had been testing hundreds of thousands of packages being imported from other countries but were able to find traces in very very few of them, less than 10, proving positive for the Virus! Ecuador's Production Minister - Ivan Ontaneda told the international news agency Reuters, that their country maintains strict protocols and cannot be held responsible for what happens to goods after they have left their country! A statement from Brazil's Agriculture Ministry said that it was seeking more clarification on China's findings!

Health officials in China identified those who came into contact with these frozen food packages and tested them for the Corona Virus and their results came back negative! However, all the other products in stock alongside these tested packages were sealed off and they too tested negative for the Virus. Meanwhile, the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein has also released a statement telling that it was scrutinising the claims by China but added that, "there is no scientific evidence that meat transmits the Virus". The Association also added, "It is not yet clear when the packaging was contaminated and whether it occurred during the export transportation process." Brazil's Agriculture Ministry has also stated that China has not officially notified them of any issue, yet! Stay tuned for updates...