Reusable Grocery Bags Aren't Always All That

Are you using those reusable grocery sacks? You know, the fabric ones (usually canvas) you bought so you wouldn't have to choose between paper and plastic anymore?

Well, a new study at Toronto-based Sporometrics shows that those bags often carry microbes that could make you sick. Unless you wash your reusable bags between shopping trips, it's likely that yours are getting funky.

Two independent laboratories did swab-testing on these bags from various North American locations and found that high levels of bacterial, yeast, mold, and coliform counts were the norm rather than the exception.

The study found that 64% of reusable bags were contaminated and of those, 30% had bacterial counts above what's allowed in drinking water. 40% of the bags had yeast or mold while some even had coliforms (fecal intestinal bacteria).

Ewww...

Some recommendations to keep your grocery sacks clean:
1. Don't use them for anything BUT groceries. No gym clothes, diapers, extra stuff to run over to the neighbors, etc. Just groceries.

2. Turn the bags inside-out for storage so that the insides are well-aired and exposed to light. This kills many of the creepies that hang out in the bags.

3. Dry them completely before storing in a compact, dark location. Allow them to totally dry out before tucking them away where mold and bacteria can fester.

4. Wash them regularly and use a anti-microbial like bleach or vinegar when doing so.

These tips will definitely help.