Ban reusable grocery bags from food establishments
Reusable grocery bags pose a significant source of dangerous food contamination.
The California Department of Public Health issued anadvisorystating, "in the case of reusable grocery bags, there are also food safety concerns to consider. Certain foods, such as raw produce, meat, poultry, and fish may contain bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. Reusable bags can pick up and accumulate the bacteria from these foods, which can then cross-contaminate other foods and non-food items if appropriate measures are not taken."Scholars at Loma Linda University and the University of Arizona conducted an Assessment of the Potential for Cross Contamination of Food Products by Reusable Shopping Bags. They found that "These results indicate that reusable bags can play a significant role in the cross contamination of foods if not properly washed on a regular basis... Consumers almost never wash reusable bags."Dr.Laura Gieraltowski, PhD, MPH of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)warnson Foodsafety.gov that "The fabric or materials in reusable grocery bags can get contaminated with germs likeSalmonellaorE. colifrom food or other items. These germs could then cross-contaminate other food or items we carry in the reusable bag and make us sick."Angelenos may suffer illness or even death caused by the exposure of surfaces in retail food establishments to these bags. Consumers touch unpackaged food after handling these bags. The bags come into contact with counters, carts and food. These bags should not be allowed into food establishments.
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