Could your reusable shopping bags be making you sick? According to a recent study, the answer is yes.

The study, commissioned and funded by the Environment and Plastics Industry Council (EPIC) in Canada, collected reusable bags randomly from consumers on the streets of Toronto. These bags, most of which were less than a year old and used daily, were tested by two independent laboratories.

The labs found that as well as carrying our groceries, the bags were also carrying high levels of mold, bacteria, and yeast. The 15-page report, which highlights the study’s findings, includes the following facts:

– 64 percent of the tested reusable bags were contaminated with some level of bacteria.

– Nearly 30 percent had bacterial counts higher than what is considered safe for drinking water.

– 40 percent of the bags contained the presence of yeast or mold.

– Some of the sampled bags contained unsafe levels of coliforms and faecal intestinal bacteria.

But before anyone starts throwing away their reusable bags, think carefully about how you are using and maintaining these bags. Do you place improperly wrapped meat into the bags? Have they had spilt or perishable foods in them? Are they used for multiple purposes, such as for sports events and as a diaper bag?  Do you wash them regularly? Where are they stored?

Like anything else, proper care is important. Bags need to be washed between mixed uses or at least once a week. They need to be stored in a dry, clean environment. Ideally, each bag should have a designated use – groceries, gym clothes, diapers, wine, etc.

Pictured bag available at Tobi

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