More and more shoppers have started using reusable bags instead of traditional, one-use plastic bags because of the plastic bags’ impact on the environment. If shoppers use the same bag over and over again, they consume far less plastic because the reusable bags make more trips to the grocery store and can be used for any number of other things.

But are the reusable bags hazardous to your health? In 2010, reports of bacteria in reusable bags surfaced in the media. Much of the reported bacteria was said not to be harmful to humans, but the reports from the American Chemistry Council did find non-harmful strains of Escherichia coli, more commonly known as E. coli. What does this mean for users of reusable bags? It means it’s time the bags’ owners start washing them more often to eliminate the bacteria.

Last month, the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) found lead “in a number of major retailers’ reusable shopping bags.” The organization collected and tested bags made of non-woven polypropylene — but not cloth bags — and found “excessive amounts” of lead in them. Reusable bags from Walgreens and CVS were found by the CCF to have had some of the higher levels of lead.

Read more »