Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
News

WHO Considers Food Chain Role in COVID-19 Origin Report

covid19 coronavirus disease
April 2, 2021

In May 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) attempted to verify the zoonotic source of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) and its route of introduction to the human population, including a possible role of intermediate hosts. The aim of the study was to prevent reinfection in both animals and humans, and also to establish new zoonotic reservoirs, thereby reducing further risks of the emergence, and also transmission, of zoonotic diseases. 

A group of international scientists assembled by WHO traveled to Wuhan, China, where the first cases of Coronavirus were reported, at the end of 2019.

There were four scenarios they were examining: 

  1. Direct zoonotic transmission to humans
  2. Introduction through an intermediate host, followed by spillover 
  3. Through the cold food chain
  4. Through a laboratory incident.

The first scenario was considered to be a possible-to-likely pathway, and the second was likely to very likely. The latter scenarios were extremely unlikely.

When thinking about the possibility of introduction through the food chain, experts looked at one outbreak where live virus was isolated from the outer package of an imported frozen product. 

However, there was no conclusive evidence for foodborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and there is a low probability of cold-chain contamination with the virus.

Governments including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Japan, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, and the U.S. expressed concern about the study, in a joint statement. 

“Together, we support a transparent and independent analysis and evaluation, free from interference and undue influence, of the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is critical for independent experts to have full access to all pertinent human, animal, and environmental data, research, and personnel involved in the early stages of the outbreak relevant to determining how this pandemic emerged,” they said.

U.S. lawmakers are considering the Preventing Future Pandemics Act. The bipartisan bill ideally wants a shutdown of commercial wildlife markets, with the purpose being to end the import, export, and sale of live wildlife for human consumption in the U.S., and to phase out demand for wildlife as a food source.

KEYWORDS: coronavirus and food safety World Health Organization

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Contamination Control
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Sanitation
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Best Practices
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • mold
    Sponsored byIFC

    Tackling Mold Remediation in Food Processing Plants

  • a worker in a food processing plant
    Sponsored byLPS® DETEX®

    How a Beverage Facility Improved Food Safety and Compliance with Detectable Packaging Solutions

  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

Popular Stories

carton of dozen brown eggs

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Eggs Ends With One Dead, 38 Hospitalized

close-up macaroni noodles with FDA logo overlay

FDA to Revoke 52 ‘Obsolete and Unnecessary’ Standards of Identity for Food Products

blue iced donuts next to pie of sugar with blue written in it

FDA Authorizes Use of Fourth ‘Natural’ Food Dye, Gardenia Blue

Events

July 22, 2025

Beyond the Binder: Digital Management of Food Safety

Live: July 22, 2025 at 3:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn best practices for the use of digital food safety management systems across industry and regulatory agencies.

August 7, 2025

Achieve Active Managerial Control of Major Risk Factors Using a Food Safety Management System

Live: August 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn about changes to the FDA Food Code, which now includes a requirement for FSMS. 

August 28, 2025

Strategies for Rodent Control in Distribution Facilities

Live: August 28, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn how to understand rodent behavior and innovative strategies for rodent management.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • 2021 Virtual Food Safety Summit Keynote: The New Role and Responsibilities of the Food Safety Professional in the COVID-19 World

    2021 Virtual Food Safety Summit Keynote: The New Role and Responsibilities of the Food Safety Professional in the COVID-19 World

    See More
  • Körber launches free solution for supply chain resiliency and safety in light of COVID-19

    Körber launches free solution for supply chain resiliency and safety in light of COVID-19

    See More
  • United Nations headquarters

    WHO and FAO Highlight Role of Science, Stress Importance of Technology in Food Safety Efforts

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 1119053595.jpg

    Food Safety for the 21st Century: Managing HACCP and Food Safety throughout the Global Supply Chain, 2E

  • 1119237963.jpg

    Food Safety in China: Science, Technology, Management and Regulation

  • 9781138070912.jpg

    Trends in Food Safety and Protection

See More Products

Related Directories

  • FoodChain ID

    Our mission is to make it easier to keep the food supply chain safe, compliant and transparent. We serve 30,000+ customers in over 100 countries. We offer five key service areas: Regulatory Compliance, Product Development Solutions, Food Safety Solutions, Product Certifications, Testing Solutions
  • SafetyChain Software

    SafetyChain is a digital plant management platform trusted by more than 2,500 food and beverage manufacturing facilities to improve plant-wide performance. It unifies production and quality teams with data and insights, tools, and delivers real-time operational visibility and control by eliminating paper and point solutions.
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing