The Centre for Food Safety today said it has taken salmon samples from import and wholesale levels at different places for novel coronavirus testing as a precautionary measure.

The move was made in view of recent media reports that the novel coronavirus was detected on chopping boards used for cutting salmon during a COVID-19 case investigation in Beijing, the centre explained.

The centre noted that according to current scientific information, there is no evidence indicating that humans can be infected by the novel coronavirus via food.

In addition, the World Health Organization and global food safety assessment authorities consider that it is unlikely that the novel coronavirus can be transmitted through food.

Given that raw or undercooked aquatic products are high-risk, consumption of food contaminated with bacteria or viruses may cause food poisoning. For the sake of prudence, the centre has taken samples of imported salmon for testing, it added.