Toronto City Council has voted to ban plastic grocery bags as of January 1, 2013, making it the largest municipality in North America to do so thus far. As plastic bags will soon go the way of the dodo in the city of Toronto, reusable bags will become the carrier of choice for most consumers for their convenience and practicality. However, there are some health issues that shoppers need to think about that they may not have considered.
If you carry your groceries in a reusable bag, the chances are good that some form of food contamination will occur. Raw meats, poultry and fish can leak; fruits and veggies can also leak juices that can then decay. The bags can become a breeding ground for microbes and bacteria of various kinds, including E.coli and salmonella. Bacteria from meat may contaminate fruit, for example, and put you at risk since you won’t cook the fruit before eating it.
The risk of contracting disease from reusable bags is relatively low, however there are simple some safety tips consumers can take to avoid cross contamination of groceries.
- Wash reusable bags frequently. If you can’t put them in the washing machine, then do so by hand, using hot soapy water or a mild bleach solution (mix 1tsp/5ml bleach to every 3 cups/750ml of water in a spray bottle, spraying the inside of the bag, then rinsing and air drying). Make sure the bags are thoroughly dried out before you reuse them.
- If you notice spills or damp areas, wash the bag immediately and before reusing.
- Separate meats, poultry and fish from fresh produce and other foods you will eat without cooking – ideally in separate bags.
- Put meats, poultry and fish into small plastic bags before you put them into you reusable bag to avoid spills. The same procedure can protect fresh fruits and veggies from contamination.
- If you use your reusable bags for anything other than groceries, wash them before the next trip to the grocery store.
The clear trend all over North America leans towards more environmentally responsible packaging, and retailers who can offer their own reusable bags are appealing to environmentally conscious consumers even as the bags provide increased brand exposure and promotional benefits beyond your store’s walls.
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Get to know us: ICEGREEN is one of the largest manufacturers of reusable shopping bags and paper bags around, serving a wide variety of businesses and industries both large and small (Beverage Companies, Grocery Stores, Hotels, Pharmaceuticals and much more) across North America and beyond. And, as the manufacturer, you’re dealing directly with us, saving you time and money.