bacteria, including e.coli can make you very sick
You may be packing more than sale items in your reusable grocery bags. these convenient carrying cases can become contaminated, if you’re not careful. Dr. Susan Rehm treats infectious diseases at Cleveland Clinic, and she says meats are common contamination culprits.
"When we use the grocery bags, of course they come into contact with poultry, meats, produce that have bacteria on them. and we’ve had a leaker, one of our chicken containers, or something like that. well, that all contains bacteria, which contaminates the bag, so the next thing that goes into the bag can be contaminated secondarily."
University of Arizona researchers recently found reusable shopping bags can harbor multiple bacteria, including e.coli.
cross-contamination can occur when meat, produce, and pre-cooked foods are placed in the same bag.
Researchers also found 97 percent of shoppers admit they have never washed their reusable grocery bags. Dr. Rehm says grocery bags should only be used for groceries.
"It’s really important not to use grocery bags for other purposes. They should be designated grocery bags, and as a matter of fact, some people even recommend you label one for meats, one for produce, that type of thing, so you don’t get into cross-contamination between your own bags. "
Dr. Rehm also suggests storing your bags some place other than the trunk of your car. She says the summertime heat provides a good environment for bacteria to multiply.
