Today, recyclable shopping bags are becoming increasingly popular. People use canvas shopping bags to carry groceries and other items
U.S. research says nearly one in six people regularly washes a canvas shopping bag. Everyone else risks food poisoning. This warning will carry more weight during warmer days because foods spoil faster. The risk of getting sick becomes abruptly higher. The survey was conducted by the “Home Food Safety” program. The survey found that only 15% of Americans regularly wash a canvas shopping bag – all others unknowingly provide fertile ground for bacterial colonies.
“Cross-contamination occurs when juices from raw meat or bacteria from smeared objects come in contact with cooked or ready-to-eat food, such as bread or vegetables and fruits. Unwashed food bags are full of bacteria that can easily infect food,” she warned. Ruth Frechman, a spokeswoman for the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. http://www.eatright.org
Salmonella, listeria and E. coli are associated with the highest number of food poisonings.
- Regular washing of linen bags is mandatory – carefully separate raw meat and foods that can be eaten immediately (in a shopping bag, refrigerator or on the kitchen work surface).
- Thoroughly clean kitchen surfaces and all other surfaces where you leave bags, even for a short time.
- Do not keep canvas bags in the trunk, but outdoors and in a well-ventilated area.
- Wrap meat and fish in plastic wrap before placing in a canvas bag.
- Use multiple canvas bags that you can easily distinguish: one for raw meat, the other for food you can eat without cooking.
- After each use of the food cutting board, rinse thoroughly in warm soapy water- If the boards have cracks or traces of frequent use of knives then buy new food cutting boards.
