Australians have been warned their rapid antigen tests results for COVID-19 could be affected if they eat, drink, smoke, brush their teeth, or chew gum for 10 to 30 minutes before taking the test.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the country’s medicines regulator, issued the updated notice on Feb. 2.
“It is important that you do not eat, drink, smoke, brush your teeth or chew gum for 10-30 minutes (refer to the instructions provided) before collecting saliva for a rapid antigen test as it may produce an incorrect result,” the TGA said on Twitter.
At-home rapid antigen tests have been hard to find amid the peak of COVID-19 cases caused by the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus due to global shortages.
The quick-result tests have formed part of back-to-school plans across Australia as well as safe work protocols for critically essential industries such as food and grocery, health, logistics, and more.
However, public awareness of the warning not to eat, drink, smoke, brush your teeth, or chew gum for 10 to 30 minutes before collecting saliva for a rapid antigen test appears to be low.
A Queensland Health spokesperson told The Epoch Times that it was important that people read the instructions that come with their rapid antigen test kit before using it.
“Failure to conduct the test in accordance with the provided instructions may lead to an inaccurate result,” the spokesperson said.
The TGA website outlines instructions for how to use the at-home self-test kits, and now contains a warning, highlighted at the top of the page, about not eating, drinking, smoking, brushing your teeth, or chewing gum near to the time of taking the test.
The information is based on studies performed by the manufacturer which show the positive percent agreement—the proportion of individuals who tested positive to COVID-19 using a rapid antigen self-test, compared to more sensitive PCR tests.
This comes as the Victorian state government has announced that it has entered into a partnership with two firms, Lumos and Planet Innovation, to manufacture 50 million rapid antigen tests in the state.
“We’re very proud to be able today to confirm our support as part of the $268.5 million accelerator fund,” Premier Daniel Andrews said. “It’s all about research and manufacturing in response to COVID.”
One million rapid antigen tests are expected to be manufactured in April.
The federal Department of Health did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
