UNH Cooperative Extension: Take the time to care for reusable bags

How clean are your reusable bags? We’re hearing in the news recently that cleanliness of reusable grocery bags can be an issue. While reusable bags are a good, eco-friendly way to pack groceries, household items and clothing from your favorite stores or farmer’s markets, the reality is our bags are not cleaned on a regular basis, particularly the ones used to carry groceries. One study from University of Massachusetts Lowell suggests that less than 4 percent of bags are cleaned on a regular basis.

Research from the University of Arizona and Loma Linda University have shown that almost all bags tested contained bacteria with nearly half of those with coliform bacteria. Major coliform bacteria include shigella, E. coli, and salmonella. Samonella can lead to cross-contamination from chicken juice, for example, to fresh fruit and vegetables when care is not taken to pack the items separately or wash the bags on a regular basis.