Many of us have gotten into the good habit of taking our own shopping bags with us when we do our shopping, but did you realize you should clean them after each trip to the market even if nothing has spilled out into them?
According to a study conducted by the University of Arizona and Loma Linda University, 97 percent of consumers never wash their bags. About 50 percent of the bags tested contained coliform (fecal) bacteria, and 12 percent contained E. coli.
Many people use their bags for multiple purposes such as transporting books, children's items etc., so washing them after each use is the key to stopping contamination from vegetables or raw meat.
Cloth bags can go directly into the washer and dryer, and recycled plastic bags can be wiped down with hot soapy water or treated with a disinfectant spray followed by a thorough dry in the sun. At the very least, if your tote has the removable plastic insert in the bottom, it is wise to take it out and wash it. Researchers also advise using each bag for only a single purpose: carrying raw meat, carrying vegetables, transporting laundry, or as a miscellaneous shopping tote.
Lastly, try to remember not to store your shopping bags in the car when it’s warm outside. It will only help the bacteria multiply.
0 comments:
Post a Comment