Americans should only buy enough food to last a week amid the CCP virus pandemic, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The federal agency is working with grocery stores and companies that are part of the food supply chain to minimize disruptions and on Tuesday issued a temporary policy relaxing normal food safety requirements.
“The policy released today will help to minimize disruptions so that the food industry can meet the demand while also continuing to conduct supplier verification activities that are designed to ensure food safety and following government travel restrictions and advisories,” FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement.
“While we are confident that stores will remain open and supply will continue to meet demand nationwide, we ask all Americans to only purchase enough food and essentials for the week ahead,” he added.
The agency said there are no nationwide shortages of food but people might see low inventory at local stores.
The Epoch Times refers to the virus, which causes the disease COVID-19, as the CCP virus because the Chinese Communist Party’s coverup and mismanagement allowed the virus to spread throughout China and create a global pandemic.
More than 6,500 people in the United States have been infected by the virus, with 115 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.
President Donald Trump and top officials have told Americans to gather a supply of medicine, medications, and food but have also asked people not to hoard food and supplies.
“There’s no need for anybody in the country to hoard essential food supplies,” Trump said at a White House briefing on Monday.
Buying large quantities makes it more difficult for stores to restock, he said.
“We have no shortages—other than people are buying anywhere from three to five times what they would normally buy,” Trump told reporters, adding that companies “are committed to remaining open during this crisis.”
