Q: Is it safe to use cloth tote bags for groceries?
The short answer: Yes, if you follow the four steps of food safety!
The explanation: While reusable cloth tote bags are more environmentally friendly than paper or plastic bags to carry your groceries, they also can carry some food safety issues. But following a few common rules can help you keep your family – and the environment – safer.
With a bit of adaptation, the four primary steps of food safety are just as applicable to grocery totes:
- Clean. Wash tote bags frequently in the washing machine or by hand, and store them in a clean, dry location. Doing so after each use is advised, but after a few uses may be okay if the rest of the rules are followed. Never reuse a bag that has gotten wet or stained by groceries without washing it, and wipe down the countertop where the bag was placed.
- Separate. Pack foods by type as much as possible, e.g., put raw meats, poultry, and fish in a bag separate from ready-to-eat items; keep produce in a bag of their own; separate cleaning/non-food items from foods. For the utmost food safety, have bags designated for each type of food (e.g., different colors, designs, or labels to differentiate). Use grocery tote bags only for groceries, so as to not cross-contaminate (e.g., from gym clothes, shoes, etc.)
- Cook(ing needed). Place meats, poultry, and fish in a disposable plastic bag before putting into the tote to help guard against leakage. These are usually available in the meat area. Even once bagged, keep separate from ready-to-eat foods so as to not cross-contaminate them. On the topic of meats, take care when reusing boxes from big box stores, as juices can seep into the cardboard to contaminate other items on your next trip. These will need to be discarded or recycled as cardboard cannot be cleaned.
- Chill. Don’t forget to include insulated bags with your set of totes! Foods needing refrigeration should never stay unrefrigerated for more than two hours, including the time you’re finishing your shopping, driving home, and putting groceries away. Bagging the food in an insulated tote will help to keep these foods safer for longer.
Cloth totes are a great way to carry groceries, just be sure you’re not carrying bacteria as well!
TAG can simplify your food safety and quality practices. Contact us for information!
