Two cities in China have found traces of coronavirus in frozen food imports. Samples taken from frozen chicken wings from Brazil and shrimp from Ecuador both tested positive for the virus. South Dakota Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal says this development could cause some trade concerns for any nation with China including the United States.
The World Health Organization downplayed the risk of the coronavirus entering the food chain. While viruses can survive as long as two years in temperatures of minus four degrees Fahrenheit, there is no strong evidence the coronavirus can spread through frozen food. VanderWal says there’s no food safety concerns at this time and that the USTR is working with China on the present trade deal.
He says the agreement with China is important for U.S. agriculture as is all trade deals.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and USDA issued a joint statement saying there is no evidence that people can contract COVID 19 from food or food packaging.
