Reusable Shopping Bags – Are They Clean?
I’m sure you’ve read reports which showed that reusable shopping bags were full of bacteria.
One report in particular gained a lot of publicity and made many people decide not to use reusable shopping bags.
In my opinion, that’s silly.
Here’s why.
- The study was funded by the plastics industry – who presumably don’t want to see you using reusable shopping bags.
- Many of the bags sampled did indeed contain bacteria such as E. coli. But most strains of E. coli are harmless – and the report did not specify which strains were found.
- The lead author of this study on reusable shopping bags did admit in an interview that the findings do NOT suggest there will be an outbreak of disease if people switch to reusable shopping bags. In fact, the report simply concludes that the public should be educated about keeping the bags clean.
The media have been quite quick to point out the more sensational headlines (point 2 above, for example) without explaining that not all E. coli is harmful.
Having said that, I do believe that some common sense procedures will help to ensure there are no problems as more people (hopefully) make the change to reusable shopping bags.
Top Tips for Safe Reusable Shopping Bags
- Have different bags for different things (e.g. different colours, different materials, to make it obvious). As a general rule, for example, you don’t want to put raw meat into a bag which you later use for apples and lettuce (foods that you eat raw). Placing fresh produce into a bag you’ve used for your gym clothes is probably not a good idea either. (Items such as tinned goods are not likely to collect bacteria or cause any harm).
- Wash the bags every now and again. Some people suggest washing between every use – personally, I find that a little extreme. I find it easier to simply schedule a wash of cloth bags along with my normal clothes washing. Bags made from plastic (for example, recycled tetra pack juice containers) can simply be wiped clean with a cloth.
- Just use common sense.
It’s the same as anything else. You keep your home clean, and your clothes clean, and yourself clean. Why should your reusable shopping bags be any different?
Be ecofriendly. Use reusable shopping bags – and common sense.
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You might also enjoy: Plastic Shopping Bags – Are you Eating Them?
Which are Better – Plastic Shopping Bags or Paper Shopping Bags?
A bag is a bag, material or not, if they are in the same location, they will most likely have the same bacteria content. Study said it covered the reusable bags, how about the plastic bags in the vacinity? Silly study is silly.
Mark Hogan
“A silly study is silly” – I like that Mark!
Thanks!
I’m glad you answered that question. I was curious. I have a couple of mesh ones in addition to the standard ones. I also bought reusable produce ones.
I use a cotton mesh bag and throw it in the wash with my towels…I always wondered about how “clean” plastic bags were…
Sonya Lenzo
I agree with Mark “Silly Study Is Silly” … besides, who doesn’t wash their reusable bags???
Stay Amazing and Keep Doing Great Things, Neil
Gotta love those studies that are funded by industries who will benefit from certain results…
Cherie Miranda
Indeed, sounds like a silly study sponsored by a corporation scared of losing its profits.
Michael
Thanks for the info. Boy, it’s good to know what these companies are up to.
It’s always good to know the source of a report. Very often the researcher or those who paid for the study have a vested interest in the outcome.
We see this in healthcare all of the time. Big studies that show a particular drug to be a wonder drug with few side effects only to discover that the study was paid for by the drug company that manufactures the drug being studied. A definite conflict of interest, no?
Dennis
Hi Green Goddess,
I particularly like how you suggest to have a variety of reusable shopping bags. Indeed, that is what we have. And for goodness sakes, yes sometimes people will need to pop them into the laundry! lol. I highly recommend that a romantic couple in the first quarter of their dating courtship relationship do go grocery shopping together. You learn more about the sharing of daily life that way and less about great First Dating flirting behavior.
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell