FAQ: How to Sanitise Your Groceries During Coronavirus Pandemic

A handy tutorial on how to perfectly sanitise groceries and vegetables in the times of coronavirus.

A handy tutorial on how to clean your groceries during COVID-19

(Photo courtesy: The Quint/Yagya Sachdeva)

Video Editor: Veeru Mohan

Producer: Yagya Sachdeva

If you’ve been wondering how is the food you eat or the groceries you get back home safe from COVID-19, then let us help you get your facts right - to begin with, the novel virus is not inside the food you eat.

However, you must clean the packaged groceries you’re getting home from outside as the virus can live on substances like metals and plastics. Here’s how you can make sure your groceries remain clean during the pandemic:

Should I sanitize vegetables and fruits with a sanitizer or soap water?

There is no evidence that sanitizers can kill the virus in vegetables and fruits. No need to douse them in soap or disinfectant, that goop is meant for hands and surfaces. If it gets absorbed in your produce, it will make you sick.

Instead, you can rinse your vegetables with baking soda water to make sure they are thoroughly clean before you cook them.

How can I sanitize packaged groceries? Like, say pulses.

Use disinfectant wipes or a cloth sprayed with disinfectant as a cleaner to wipe packets and boxes. Don’t forget to dispose the wipes immediately after you’re done.

For groceries like pulses and others that don’t perish quickly, you can dry them in the sun for a couple of hours before you take them inside.

What about milk packets and cheese?

While you can sanitize the outer packet, make sure that you store milk package and cheese cartons in clean dry place.

What precautions can I take while going grocery shopping?

• It is mandatory to wear masks in public place so that your nose and mouth is covered
• Avoid entering a crowded shop
• Maintain at least 2 metres of physical distancing with others in the shop. Most shop owners and security personnel are now rationing the number of people who enter the shop
• Use a paper list so that you can pick things quickly
• When you are outside, avoid touching your phone
• Use a hand sanitizer before entering and exiting the store
• Once you are back home, it is recommended to wash your hands for 20 seconds and use a hand sanitizer
• However, try and limit the number of grocery outings

Should I use gloves while shopping for groceries and while sorting them out?

There are no clear guidelines issued by the government on using gloves. However, if you happen to use them, remember to remove them inside out to prevent your hands from touching any dirty surfaces.

If you are using re-usable gloves, make sure you wash and dry them after every use.

Instead, you can also wipe the dirty area with disinfectant after you’re done using it as a cleaning station for your groceries and wash your hands right after.