Poll: Did you know reusable shopping bags breed bacteria?
It seems that everywhere you look these days, people are carrying those reusable fabric tote bags when they go shopping. But while those totes are better for the environment than plastic bags, a new report raises questions about potential health hazards of reusing them for food shopping.
The study by Sporometrics, an environmental microbiology lab based in Toronto, Canada, found reusable food shopping bags and packages can contain a high level of bacteria, yeast, mold and coliform counts which pose a significant food safety risk. The study was funded by the Environment and Plastic Industry Council, which is a committee of the Canadian Plastics Industry Association.
Food safety fears focused on the risks of cross contamination of food placed in bags contaminated by previous use in successive trips. Also contaminants could be transferred from one bag to another in the check-out packing process.
“The moist, dark, warm interior of a folded reusable bag that has acquired a small amount of water and a trace of food contamination is an ideal incubator for bacteria,” the report said.
Researchers also raised concerns about the use of multiple-purpose totes, particularly if the same bags are used to transport such items as gym equipment or diapers.
If consumers shop with reusable bags, researchers suggest that meat should be double packed in a first-use bag to prevent accidental leakage or drips into the reusable bag.
Reusable bags can be cleaned, but researchers said drying them can be a problem. They warned consumers not to dry the bags by laying them out flat. Instead, the bags should be turned inside out and suspended in order to properly air them out.
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Gail writes about business, health and wine for the Post-Dispatch. She joined the P-D in 2005 after moving from NYC where she covered federal courts and wrote about food and wine. In her free time, Gail lifts weights, and of course, wine glasses. 
You forgot to mention WHO sponsored this study.
It was a Canadian organization of plastic manufacturers. You know, the companies whose bags are being replaced by reusable bags.
Of course plastics companies want you to be afraid of environmentally-friendly reusable bags. Then you’ll go back to getting 20 plastic bags that end up in the trash every trip to the store.
Please be aware of who pays for “studies” before reporting it. I’d say this “study” is one of the more laughable in recent years.