Reusable Bags May be Hazardous to Your Health
By: Nicole Nichols,
DailySpark Blogger
6/30/2010 7:14 AM
: 286 comments
: 26,153 Views
Living an eco-friendly lifestyle is just as much a part of me as living a healthy lifestyle is, and I often think that the two are very much related. While we may all feel differently about how our actions are affecting the planet, I think we can all agree that conserving resources and reducing waste are good steps for everyone. And many things that are good for the planet are great for your body, like walking or biking more, avoiding the harsh chemicals found foods or beauty products, or growing your own food.
One of the first changes many of us have made already was to purchase reusable grocery totes to limit single-use plastic and paper bags from the grocery store. Simple, easy, good for the planet—good all around, right? Well, a recent report found that these bags, while eco-friendly, might be bad for your health.
I love using my reusable bags. I even have bumper stickers on my car that say BYOB (bags, that is!), so I took note when I saw a news story linking reusable bags to public health risk.
Researchers from the University of Arizona and Loma Linda University tested the reusable grocery bags carried by shoppers in three major cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco and Tucson. They found E. coli in half the bags sampled, some at levels significant enough to cause health problems, even death. They also found that 97% of the shoppers interviewed had never washed or sanitized their totes, even though, according to co-author Charles Gerba, Ph.D., washing them would kill nearly all bacteria that accumulate in reusable bags.
I guess this doesn't completely surprise me, but I admit that it's something I've never really thought about before. While it's definitely something to cause concern, I don't think we need to swear off our use of these bags completely. In fact, researchers offered four tips in the article to reduce your risk of illness when using reusable bags.
Do you use reusable bags when grocery shopping? If so, do you usually sanitize them? Will this research affect your bag-toting habits?
One of the first changes many of us have made already was to purchase reusable grocery totes to limit single-use plastic and paper bags from the grocery store. Simple, easy, good for the planet—good all around, right? Well, a recent report found that these bags, while eco-friendly, might be bad for your health.
I love using my reusable bags. I even have bumper stickers on my car that say BYOB (bags, that is!), so I took note when I saw a news story linking reusable bags to public health risk.
Researchers from the University of Arizona and Loma Linda University tested the reusable grocery bags carried by shoppers in three major cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco and Tucson. They found E. coli in half the bags sampled, some at levels significant enough to cause health problems, even death. They also found that 97% of the shoppers interviewed had never washed or sanitized their totes, even though, according to co-author Charles Gerba, Ph.D., washing them would kill nearly all bacteria that accumulate in reusable bags.
I guess this doesn't completely surprise me, but I admit that it's something I've never really thought about before. While it's definitely something to cause concern, I don't think we need to swear off our use of these bags completely. In fact, researchers offered four tips in the article to reduce your risk of illness when using reusable bags.
- Sanitize your bags after every use. While all bags are made of different materials, many are machine washable or could be disinfected with a sanitizing wipe, for example. I occasionally wash my own bags, but only the soft, cotton bags I own that easily go in and out of the washer. If you haven't yet purchased reusable bags or plan to get more in the future, consider purchasing those that are easily washable.
- Separate raw foods from other food products. This is to prevent cross contamination.
- Do not use reusable food bags for other purposes. OK, I am totally guilty of this one. Not only do I use my bags for multiple purposes (carrying books to the library, toting my lunch to work, as a carryon at the airport), but I bring them when shopping anywhere I go, not just the grocery store. Going forward, I may just stick with my washable cotton bags for the grocery and the not-easy-to-wash bags for other purposes.
- Do not leave reusable bags in your car. Researchers say that the high temperatures inside your car will only promote the growth of bacteria. Guilty here, too. I store my bags in the car most of the time so that I don't forget to bring them back to the store.
Do you use reusable bags when grocery shopping? If so, do you usually sanitize them? Will this research affect your bag-toting habits?
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Comments
Thanks for the article. - 3/9/2011 7:03:28 PM
Maybe I'll make a cloth one. Gotta get the groceries home some how! - 11/18/2010 1:32:01 PM
Visit www.ECOcentricBags.com for great reusable bags collection - 11/8/2010 12:45:46 AM
Having said that, I don't have any problem with this article. I think it's important that people understand that you do need to clean them like they are the part of your kitchen that they are. Great article! - 8/10/2010 3:26:28 PM
When you bring them home, turn inside out, and let them air dry overnight. Usually in the morning you empty the dishwasher or dish rack; I turn the bags right side out, fold them up and put them away after I put away the clean dishes, as part of my morning routine.
Spritz or wipe with vinegar if needed while they are turned inside out.
When you make a menu and grocery list, put the list and coupons inside a bag and set them by the door. You're ready for grocery day!
Also when checking out I bag meat in plastic prior to putting in the reusable bag. Most communities have recognized the $$ in capturing recyclables as energy. - 7/31/2010 2:36:38 PM
Awareness is rising, but as it is many store clerks will either give you a dirty look if you produce your own bags and/or make a large ceremony out of throwing the plastic bag they just tried to give you IN THE TRASH (it's new, for heaven's sake; use it for your next customer).
SO now recyclable bags are supposedly unsanitary? Who has tested those plastic bags from the store, pray tell? Are they sterile, I think not... what residues are in them? What damage are we causing to the environment by the billions of bags we toss around every year?
Granted, perhaps a reused bag might need a wash once in awhile, but I think people can figure that out for themselves and not need someone to tell them everything they try to do is harmful somehow. - 7/8/2010 11:29:33 PM
I do wash my bags when they are dirty but I think I'll have to buy more bags so that I can put them on a rotation cycle. When I use a bag that had chicken or other meats then I will put it in the hamper and the next trip use a clean one. When all are in the hamper then I will wash them. - 7/6/2010 1:24:51 PM
I've used cloth grocery bags for several decades, with no known illnesses in my family caused by their use.
I was inspired to wash them all this weekend, and sorted the into categories -- one sackful to be used for groceries, and the other for other things, including non-food shopping and library books, etc.
I'll definitely keep using them, and they'll keep living in my car, since that's where I need them to use them. I will wash them more often. - 7/6/2010 11:58:07 AM
I don't keep my bags in the car but do have them hanging beside the door that we go in & out of the most so I remember them on the way out to the store. I don't think it is necessary to freak out & go over board but just use common sense when it comes to your bags. - 7/6/2010 8:03:18 AM
I took a look at mine - I have canvass ones and plastic ones. Both are machine washable, so I washed them with no issues - dried within 1/2 hour outside on the line in 80 degree weather.
they are now back in our vehicles ready to be used again and again and again ! - 7/5/2010 12:24:37 PM
We do use plastic bags from the grocery store for meat and some produce (anything with high contamination risk), but then those plastic bags are used to line garbage cans and pick up dog waste. - 7/5/2010 8:48:01 AM
Is good idea to wash it once in a while. - 7/4/2010 10:06:02 PM
I also use some canvas bags, which are also washable, and some recycled plastic bags that I use mostly for meats to contain any leakage. On those, after I empty them, I rinse them out, dry them with a cotton dish towel and leave them open to finish drying.
In all the years I've been using them, I don't think reuseable bags have ever made anybody in my household ill.
I also want to say that I agree with the person who pointed out that proper hand-washing and proper cleaning and preparation of foods goes a long way toward off-settng any risk that might be associated with reuseable bags. If the bags are becoming contaminated, the bacteria has to be coming from somewhere. Sanitizing at the source is just as important.
I have different reuseably bags that I use for different purposes. I have one big one that I use to collect and transport Styrofoam to the recycling center. I have a couple that I use for shopping at discount and department stores. If I'm only picking up a couple of things, I skip the bag altogether.
The good that using reuseable bags should not be overshadowed by this risk. It's a simple matter to wash the bags every so often. Personally, I think every use is overkill except in the case of bags used to carry raw foods. - 7/4/2010 11:43:47 AM
Actually one ofe the cheapest and best ways to sanitize a tote is use vinegar, lowered pH (acidic) means bacteria like E. coli are killed off, it even works in cold water!
And honestly we allready have MRS, so plain old soap and vinegar are quite sufficient!
PS I'm from Germany, here you have to pay if you want a bag with your groceries, so I've been using bags, baskets and backpacks for decades, - 7/4/2010 10:40:38 AM
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