Survival of a SARS-CoV-2 Surrogate on Flow-Pack Polyethylene and Polystyrene Food Trays at Refrigeration and Room Temperature Conditions

Abstract: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of the current pandemic referred to as coronavirus disease 2019, is spread by direct and indirect transmission between humans, including contact with contaminated surfaces, frozen food, packaging materials, and storage environments. Food contamination may occur in the “farm-to- table” lifecycle through contact with food handlers and environments. In the present study, the survival of a SARS-CoV-2 surrogate (feline coronavirus (FCoV)) at room temperature and refrigeration conditions for different time intervals on two types packaging widely used packaging, namely flow-pack polyethylene and polystyrene food trays, was investigated. FCoV was stable on the flow-pack polyethylene for 48 h and 120 h at room temperature and 4 ◦C, respectively, while it persisted on polystyrene food trays for 36 h at room temperature and for 120 h at +4 ◦C. The results of our study highlight the possible implications of food packaging in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 during the current pandemic.