[NJTechDiv] properly handling food deliveries

[Mario Brusco]

How to properly handle food deliveries during the coronavirus pandemic
(https://www.komando.com/coronavirus/sanitize-deliveries-meal-kits/732195/)

BY JAMES GELINAS, KOMANDO.COM, MARCH 25, 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of Americans to drastically 
change their lifestyles. Where shopping and eating out used to be the 
norm, people are now switching to meal kits and takeout deliveries in an 
effort to stay healthy.

But just because you didn’t interact with anyone doesn’t mean your items 
are 100% safe. Germs can still live on packages for several days, and 
that includes your Amazon orders.
Tap or click to learn how to properly disinfect them.
(https://www.komando.com/news/coronavirus-packages-safety/731988/)

It’s one thing to clean and disinfect an ordinary package, but what 
about perishable goods or those fresh food kits you order? Believe it or 
not, there are still ways to keep your food clean and enjoy it without 
stressing about germs.

Clean hands, clean packaging, clean food?

Food delivery is on the rise thanks to the spread of the novel 
coronavirus that causes COVID-19. With social distancing and “flattening 
the curve” being nationwide priorities, people are dining in restaurants 
and gathering in groups less than ever.

But people still need to eat, which is why stocks for delivery companies 
like HelloFresh and Blue Apron are skyrocketing as the rest of the 
market falters.
(https://investorplace.com/2020/03/3-food-delivery-stocks-exploding-higher-amid-coronavirus-panic/)

It’s a sign of the times and a good reason to look at some of the 
delivery options you can choose from. After all, ordering food kit 
deliveries can help you avoid unnecessary contact with others who may be 
asymptomatic.

Here are some of the most popular delivery options you can choose from 
right now, and what you’ll get when you decide to call in.

• HelloFresh: Delivers pre-measured ingredients based on meal plans of 
your choosing. You can pick from a wide variety of options like burgers 
and Asian rice bowls, but some cooking skill is required to make the 
most of it.
• Omaha Steaks: This subscription puts meat back on the menu for your 
home and includes steak, BBQ meats, seafood, desserts and sides in 
pre-packaged meal kits. The prices are higher, with some packages going 
for more than $100.
• Blue Apron: Ships you ingredients and recipes as part of a monthly 
subscription, so some cooking skills are required to fully enjoy the 
food. But the options span a range of cultures and cuisines, and wine is 
included.
• Home Chef: Offers flexible plans that can fit a wide range of diets, 
including vegan and vegetarian options.
• Amazon Meal Kits: Amazon’s meal kits aren’t available in every region. 
But if you’re able to order, the prices are highly competitive and the 
high-quality food comes from none other than Whole Foods.

As good as these options are, it’s worth noting every kit is still being 
prepared and delivered by human hands. And since asymptomatic 
transmission is a major factor in the spread of COVID-19, even fresh 
deliveries should be properly cleaned and disinfected.

How do I clean and disinfect my food kit deliveries?

A common question people have is whether COVID-19 can be transmitted via 
food. According to the According to the CDC (opens in a new tab), there 
is no evidence food can infect you, but health officials still urge 
people to carefully clean packaging and to wash fruits and vegetables as 
a general precaution.
(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html)

This is because we now understand the virus can live on surfaces for 
several days — up to 17 in some cases. Though frozen or refrigerated 
packaging does seem to harm the virus, you still want to sanitize 
everything.

You can’t be too careful when health is on the line, so here’s what you 
should do for any food delivery kits you receive to make sure they’re as 
clean as possible:

1. When you receive your package, wear gloves and wipe the box down with 
disinfecting wipes. Make sure you’re using chemicals that are known to 
kill the coronavirus.
(https://www.komando.com/lifestyle/coronavirus-disinfectants/710012/)

2. Open the package and throw the box away. If it’s a shelf-stable item, 
wipe it down with a disinfectant and put it in a safe area separate from 
the rest
of your food. Let it sit for 1-3 days.
3. If your item is perishable, wipe down the container with disinfectant 
and put it in the refrigerator immediately. Try to isolate it from other 
items in your fridge. Wait 1-3 days, then wipe it down again before 
opening. Any fresh ingredients like fruits or vegetables should be 
carefully washed with soap immediately before storage.
4.  If the item is a fresh meal or something you need to eat right away, 
sanitize the container it came in and use clean kitchen utensils to 
transfer the food to a clean plate or bowl. Discard the containers.

As a precaution, you should handle any freshly delivered food with 
utensils instead of your hands. And health officials discourage putting 
your hands near your face, as it’s one of the most common vectors for 
infection.

Touch-free goes mainstream.

In the face of a pandemic like the one we’re experiencing, it’s likely 
more businesses will adapt and evolve to answer consumer needs.
One company is taking the idea even further by introducing germ-free 
“airlocks” for food pickup. This ensures no human contact occurs during 
mealtime.

Creator, a San Francisco-based restaurant, developed the pressurized 
“transfer chamber” for curbside pickup orders. To help other businesses, 
it’s made the design open source, so anyone with the know-how can build 
and make use of these germ-fighting devices. The plans can be downloaded 
for free from the company’s  website.
(https://www.creator.rest/covid19)

All of these efforts go a long way toward flattening the curve and 
keeping our hospitals from overflowing. Before too long, we might even 
see delivery as the norm among some of the biggest retailers in the nation.

Tap or click here to see Walmart's plans for grocery delivery. (opens in 
a new tab)
(https://www.komando.com/online-shopping/walmarts-new-delivery-option-might-make-you-cancel-amazon-prime/572266/)