Oklahoma State University: Food Safety: The Dirty Truth About Shopping Carts

Press release from Oklahoma State University:

October 25, 2021

Media Contact: Kirsten Hollansworth | Communications Graduate Student | 405-744-0442 | kirsten.hollansworth@okstate.edu

Walking into a grocery store, most shoppers are focused on their shopping lists to avoid forgetting essential household items. When selecting a shopping cart, most people center their attention on avoiding that undesirable squeaky wheel.

But a positive shopping experience can easily go bad if shoppers put food safety on the back burner. Food safety begins at the grocery store. By following these guidelines recommended by the Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center, consumers can have a safe and enjoyable experience while shopping.

“Cross-contamination due to improper storage and handling of foods in shopping carts could result in foodborne illness,” said Ravi Jadeja, food safety specialist at FAPC. “Low levels of pathogens could grow to a dangerous level if refrigerated food products are temperature abused during shopping and transporting home by consumers.”

The first point of contact for most food is the shopping cart and it’s important to wipe down the handle of the shopping cart to remove germs.

Shopping List

Fish, Meat and Poultry

Eggs and Dairy Products

Produce and Bakery

Pre-cooked Foods

Don’t forget to wash your hands prior to sampling new foods. Using the store's hand sanitizer or bringing your own sanitizer, could prevent exposure to harmful bacteria.

FAPC, a part of OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, helps to discover, develop and deliver technical and business information that will stimulate and support the growth of value-added food and agricultural products and processing in Oklahoma.

This press release was produced by Oklahoma State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.