Cold-Chain-Food-Related COVID-19 Surveillance in Guangzhou between July 2020 and December 2022

To monitor severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA contamination in samples linked to imported cold-chain food and assess the situation from the implementation of a centralized supervision warehouse system in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.

Swabs of workers and frozen-food-related samples were collected between July 2020 and December 2023 in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was extracted and analyzed by a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction using the commercially available SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test kit. The risk level and food source were monitored simultaneously.

A total of 283 positive cold-chain events were found in Guangzhou since the first cold-chain-related event of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic was identified in July 2020. Most positive samples were a low-to-medium risk, and the cycle threshold value was >30. No live virus was detected, and no staff came into direct contact with a live virus. In total, 87.63% of positive events were identified through sampling and testing at the centralized food warehouse.

Cold-chain food has a relatively low risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2. Centralized food storage can be used as an effective method to control this risk, and this measure can also be used for other food-related, contact-transmitted diseases.