C2

The Canadian Press

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

TORONTO - Health Canada says people grocery shopping with reusable bags or bins should take steps to prevent cross-contamination of foods.

The department says that while more environmentally friendly, reusable bins or bags can result in foods coming in contact with bacteria that can cause food-borne illnesses.

Bags and bins that are reused frequently can pick up bacteria from the foods they carry or from where they are stored between uses, such as in the back of a car.

Health Canada suggests washing cloth bags frequently, especially after carrying fresh produce, meat, poultry or fish.

If the bags cannot be washed by machine, they should be carefully washed by hand with hot, soapy water, as should plastic bins.

Last month the industry that makes disposable plastic bags released a report showing a survey of reusable bags found 64 per cent were contaminated with some level of bacteria.