Why you need a shopping cart cover
Article - March 17, 2007
The Dirty Little Secret about Grocery Shopping Carts
Grocery store shopping cart handles have more germs than public restrooms, making them one of the worst public places for germs, according to researchers and you touch them probably two or three times a week, but so do thousands of others.
How germy could shopping carts really be? Very, according to researchers at the University of Arizona who tested all kinds of public surfaces. They found that shopping carts were loaded with more saliva, bacteria and even fecal matter than escalators, public telephones, and even public bathrooms. The only surfaces that had more germs were playground equipment and bus rails.
"Every kid in America teethes on shopping cart handles," said Dr. Chuck Gerba at the University of Arizona. "They don't have the best sanitary habits. … I mean, you're putting your broccoli where their butt was."
A recent Inside Edition investigation found disturbing evidence that supermarket shopping carts can expose shoppers of all ages to harmful bacteria and germs! Dr. Kelly Reynolds, a microbiologist with the University of Arizona, tells Inside Edition all shopping carts are sources of contamination. "You need to be aware that there could be harmful bacteria from raw meats and produce, and harmful viruses from people's hands that have been sick, present on shopping cart handles."
90% of stores carry shopping carts and stores admit to not cleaning them!
Inside Edition tested 30 carts at nine supermarkets to find what germs were lurking. Inside Edition’s lab found several types of bacteria and fungus that could cause disease, especially in people with fragile immune systems.
The most serious bacteria found was enteroccocus facaelis – indicating the presence of fecal matter. Dr. Reynolds told Inside Edition she wasn't surprised by the results. She had tested shopping carts as part of a university study on germs.
"Our study and your study seem to indicate that shopping carts are frequently contaminated." On some carts, Dr. Reynolds found bodily fluids like blood, mucus and saliva. She says the shopping carts she tested were dirtier than public bathrooms. "The fact is, bathrooms are frequently cleaned and disinfected, shopping carts are not," Dr. Reynolds told Inside Edition.
While some supermarkets offer wipes to disinfect hot spots, many areas of the country are not. “Another option is to spring for a baby shopping seat cover.”
Sources:
ABC News - Feb. 8, 2007Shopping Carts more germy than Public Restrooms
Inside Edition - Nov. 14, 2003Supermarket Shopping Carts can be covered with harmful bacterica
