"Sometimes when I'm at my husband's ultimate games I'll see people with their
extra clothes in there and their running shoes and cleats and I've actually seen
people leave the gym with dirty clothes in there as well."
They're everywhere and not just for carrying groceries anymore.
Reusable bags can be found from the gym to the laundromat.
While environmentally friendly, bags or bins can pick up bacteria from the foods they carry.
So what can you do to protect you and your family?
Well, here are some tips that can help lower the risk of cross-contamination:
Wash cloth bags frequently, especially after carrying fresh produce, meat, poultry or fish.
If your bag is not machine washable, turn the bag inside out and use hot soapy water to wipe it clean.
Place your meat, poultry or fish in plastic bags, such as the clear bags
you can find in the produce and some meat sections.
Fresh produce should also always be placed in plastic bags as well.
Pack your meats and fresh produce in their own bags,
separate from canned and dried goods.
If you notice that juices from your food have leaked into the bag or bin,
make sure you wash them before using them again.
If you are using your grocery bags or bins to store or transport non-food items,
they should be thoroughly washed before using them for groceries.
So what's in your bag? Take a look…stay safe…
and look for more food safety tips and information on the safe use
of reusable grocery bags and bins at healthcanada.gc.ca.