Coles sell scoop and weigh bulk food snacks that the public repeatedly access and select themselves from food bins with plastic scoops and handles. Although COVID-19 is not a foodborne disease, the virus can live on hard surfaces. Unlike fresh fruit and vegetables which are washed or cooked before being eaten, dry snacks and nuts cannot be washed. The public can cough, sneeze, and access samples of these foods with their hands and return food into these self-serve food bins. The food can potentially be contaminated with foreign objects like skin cells, hair, jewellery and dirt.

Coles is likely to stay open even if Australia experiences a lockdown of all non-essential movement, therefore it is important that Coles takes as many precautions as possible with hygiene and public safety. Coles staff have been working hard during this pandemic and Australia is fortunate to have access to high-quality food from our supermarkets such as Coles. Please Coles, do not potentially put the public at risk by continuing to offer self-serve foods for sale during the COVID-19 pandemic.