Is it Safe to Get Food Delivered During a Pandemic? 

As the Coronavirus spreads viciously all over the world, affecting over 3 million people worldwide as of end April 2020, everyone is heeding directives to shelter at home. No one knows for sure when the pandemic curve will flatten. Food delivery companies are in tall cotton since the start of the pandemic with more people ordering their food online. Yet in these jittery times, many of us are wondering if ordering takeout is safe. A question constantly bombarding our minds is – can Coronavirus spread through takeout food?  

We have been advised to eat home-cooked food during this time but there will be days when you crave for that thin crust pizza with extra toppings of cheese and pineapple cubes.  Don’t beat yourself up when you search for pizza delivery near me to satisfy your cravings.  

Well, you can safely eat takeout food. Here’s the good news!

The Center for Disease Control’s Opinion on Food Delivery 

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there is currently no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 through food.  There hasn’t been a documented case of a person getting infected from a surface contaminated with the Coronavirus, according to the CDC.  

Transmission of Covid-19 usually happens when people are in direct contact with respiratory droplets produced when a nearby infected person coughs or sneezes.  During this pandemic, food delivery services like Grub Hub and Door Dash are offering “no contact” options by leaving meals on porches or doorsteps.  Papa John’s pizza is proudly having a contactless food delivery option in the light of the current pandemic so that their customers can eat in peace.

The FDA’s opinion on Food Delivery 

Currently, leading experts at the FDA say there are no known risks or evidence that suggests that COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging / food delivery. The FDA maintains that there’s little scientific proof to suggest that people have been getting sick after eating a meal. Rather, most of the reported cases have been traced back to direct exposure between humans. Foodborne exposure to this virus is not known to be a route of transmission.

Food companies like Papa John’s have proper SOP on food handling in their kitchens to safeguard their companies and customers.  All app and online orders at Papa John’s use No Contact Delivery. A Quality Seal is applied to the lid of the box, so you know it hasn’t been opened. The driver sets your order up at your door, eliminating the need for direct contact. When the driver is at your door, he knocks or rings your doorbell, then steps back 6 feet so you can collect your order.  There is zero contact in Papa John’s delivery as the pizzas are pre-paid and pre-tipped and there’s nothing to sign as well.

While you’re quarantined at home, you see popular Coronavirus lockdown foods trending on social media sites all the time. You drool at your friend’s Papa John’s NEW Papadia and your colleague’s Dalgona coffee. Well, you can satiate all your cravings too. It’s as simple as a few taps on your phone for that pizza specials and getting it at your doorstep with zero contact with humans. Stay safe everyone!