Eco-friendly reusable bags are everywhere. What’s more, they are now available in a rainbow of colors and bold, dramatic prints that make them more attractive than ever. The collapsible and durable bags can carry about 35 pounds and hold roughly two times the amount of items as traditional grocery bags. Unfortunately, some health experts are warning that the popular reusable bags are not as good for humans as they are for the environment.
According to food safety experts, who have conducted numerous tests on reusable grocery bags, the environmentally friendly totes can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Tests show that people, who use the “green” bags to store groceries, often end up with contaminated totes. Experts say the reusable bags can become contaminated with different types of bacteria such as coliform or e-coli. The bacteria can make you sick with stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea. What’s more, if not treated immediately, e-coli contamination can kill you. Coliforms and generic e-coli found in and on reusable bags are of the utmost concern for health experts who say even a small amount of contamination is bad.
So how do reusable bags get contaminated?
Experts say that in most cases, fresh fruits and vegetables that are not placed in plastic bags before being packed in reusable bags can come into contact with some type of animal product, whether it be dairy products, eggs or meat. The cross contamination is what causes people to get sick.
To avoid this from happening to your family experts suggest the following:
*Purchase multiple reusable bags and designate certain bags for meat and others for produce to avoid cross contamination.
*Wash the bags regularly. Bacteria such as e-coli and salmonella can contaminate the bags and keep contaminating them until the germs are killed or removed.
*Store bags in a clean place away from animals and plants.
Do you wash your reusable bags on a regular basis?
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