Is it in the bag, baby? Salmonella and E.coli, that is. At least that”s assertion made in a recent study.
In the last few years we”ve been urged to use reusable grocery bags to help protect the environment.
So much, that on June 2, the California State Assembly passed the proposed state-wide plastic bag ban, AB-1998, and the bill now heads to the Senate. AB-1998 would ban certain types of plastic carryout bags, impose a 5-cent fee on paper carryout bags and encourage the use of reusable bags. The bill would apply to large supermarkets and pharmacies starting Jan. 1, 2012 and be extended to convenience stores and other small retailers starting July 1, 2013.
However, researchers tested the reusable grocery bags of consumers in Tucson Ariz., Los Angeles and San Francisco. Fifty-percent of the bags contained traces of E. coli and salmonella, bacteria that can cause food poisoning in humans. The bacteria levels found in the bags were significant enough to cause serious health concerns, even death. Those at highest risk are young children, pregnant women, seniors and those with a depressed immune system, according to the report.
An article appearing on July 22 in Consumer Reports warns readers to consider the source of the study. “The report came out of the University of Arizona, Tucson and Loma Linda University in California. Smack on page one is this note: ?The authors would like to acknowledge and thank the American Chemistry Council for providing funding to support this study.” The American Chemistry Council is the trade group that advocates on behalf of plastic-bag manufacturers. Now why would the folks who make plastic grocery bags want to cast doubts on the safety of reusable grocery bags? Oh, right,” the article stated. Turns out the report”s analysis was based on 84 reusable grocery bags collected in California and Arizona.
Researchers tested for pathogenic bacteria Salmonella and Listeria, but didn”t find any, nor did they find strains of E. coli that could make a person ill. They only found bacteria that don”t normally cause disease, but do cause disease in people with weakened immune systems.
Consumer Reports food-safety experts stated they were, “underwhelmed.” Additionally the article stated, “A person eating an average bag of salad greens gets more exposure to these bacteria than if they had licked the insides of the dirtiest bag from this study.” Michael Hansen, senior staff scientist at Consumers Union said, “These bacteria can be found lots of places, so no need to go overboard.”
My mom used to haul around a big canvas bag for shopping when I was young. We washed it often.
The walk-away message is one of common sense. Wash reusable bags to disinfect them.
It”s easy to spread bacteria from meat, fish or poultry and even vegetables. Carry those items in disposable bags. Reusable bags are fine for almost everything else.
I guess the road to hell is not paved with good intentions, but maybe it”s paved with dirt. Food for thought?
Mandy Feder is the Record-Bee news editor. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 Ext. 32.
