The TAG Team Is
Here to Help!
We work closely with our prospective clients to determine the best level of support based on
goals and current perceived gaps.
Whether it’s a phone consultation, online training or onsite visits – we’re here to help you!
​
​
800.401.2239
Key Points
Updated: June 25, 2020
​
-
In today’s Q&A, TAG has been asked if we should be concerned with COVID-19 transmission through food, especially resulting from China’s increased testing of food and import restrictions. Read more in today’s Recommendations for Industry.
-
With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise globally, the WHO has created a cartoon, starring Mr. Bean to support health messaging. Mr. Bean’s Essential COVID-19 Checklist reminds people about the “importance of washing hands, physical distancing, and demonstrating kindness to their neighbors.” See the video below or watch it on Youtube.
-
There have been questions regarding breastfeeding and COVID-19. Based on currently available evidence, the “WHO recommends that mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be encouraged to initiate or continue to breastfeed.” Read more here.
-
On Wednesday, June 24, the governors of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut issued a travel advisory: anyone traveling to these states from a state with a high number of coronavirus cases is required to quarantine for 14 days. Although IDs are not currently being checked, anyone found to have violated this will be fined and put under mandatory quarantine. This advisory currently applies to Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Utah and Texas. Changes will be based on a 7-day rolling average.
-
TAG further discusses the implications of food testing on our blog post, “COVID-19 and Food: Contact but not Transmission,” which you can read here.
Recommendations for Industry
Client Q&A - With China’s increased testing of food and import restrictions, should we be concerned with COVID-19 transmission through food?
​
Q. With China’s increased testing of food and import restrictions, should we be concerned with COVID-19 transmission through food?
​
A. TAG, echoing declarations by public health agencies and experts around the world, continues to emphasize that there is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted through food.
On Wednesday, the USDA and FDA issued a joint statement regarding the lack of evidence and discussed the COVID-19 food export restrictions. Understanding the consumer concerns raised about COVID-19 and food safety, the agencies stated that “efforts by some countries to restrict global food exports related to COVID-19 transmission are not consistent with the known science of transmission. There is no evidence that people can contract COVID-19 from food or from food packaging.”
Additionally, the statement reiterates that “the U.S. food safety system, overseen by our agencies, is the global leader in ensuring the safety of our food products, including product for export.”
We discuss this issue further on TAG’s blog post: “COVID-19 and Food: Contact but not Transmission”.
Outbreak Updates
As of June 25, 2020 (10:47 ET), there are over 9,467,000 cases (>483,000 deaths) worldwide.
​
Due to the increasing number of cases in the United States, TAG will move from reporting counts per country to focus on the United States, please see here for the data. For further information regarding worldwide numbers, please refer to John Hopkin University’s aggregate map.
Keep up to date with COVID-19:
​
Please send us any questions, comments, and/or concerns! We are happy to talk with you.
OR call us at 1-800-401-2239
Get the Insights & Guidance You Need!
Learn how TAG can help your company ensure food safety and brand protection.
Contact us today!