Kids + Shopping Carts = Stomachachesby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 26 Jul 2007 10:20 AM A few years back numerous studies were done to detect how much bacteria covered grocery store shopping cart handles. The studies confirmed that shopping cart handles had more germs than public restrooms. Researchers made their rounds on TV news programs claiming that shopping carts were one of the worst public places for germs and that shoppers should take precautions. Now, it seems some grocery store customers are getting help from the government (well, at least residents in Arkansas are) to stay healthy while shopping. State lawmakers are trying to pass a law to get stores to clean their carts. The new law would "highly encourage" (rather than "mandate") that grocery stores provide anti-bacterial wipes at all store entrances so customers don't run the risk of being exposed to the previous shopper's bacteria. "Every kid in America teethes on shopping cart handles," one doctor wrote in his report regarding bacteria and shopping carts. "They don't have the best sanitary habits. ... I mean, you're putting your broccoli where their butt was." Not exactly a pleasant thought. But, the doctor backs up his research by unveiling other findings including the fact that tests were done on various public surfaces. The results: the shopping carts were loaded with more blood, urine, mucus, saliva, and even fecal matter than escalators, public telephones, and public bathrooms. According to one study, the only surfaces that had more germs were playground equipment and bus rails. Doctors' say at the very least prolonged exposure to bacteria such as E. coli, which was found on many shopping carts, could cause gastrointestinal diarrhea-type illnesses. We don't live in Arkansas so I'm not expecting our grocer to be handing out free Clorox wipes anytime soon. I do carry hand sanitizer with me and use it after I am done shopping. Also, my 3-year-old daughter refuses to sit in a grocery cart so that cuts down on her exposure to germ-infested cart handles. Doctors say to lower your risk of getting sick from nasty grocery store carts, it's important to wash your hands (and your child's hands) with hot water and soap. Another option is using a baby shopping seat cover. I got one as a gift at my baby shower and never used it because of my daughter's complete disdain for shopping cart seats. When she was a baby I placed her infant car seat carrier in the grocery cart and never had a problem. Does your child sit in the grocery cart? What measures do you take to protect him or her? Related Articles: Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanthealth tags User Comments PureCartGal (5) 30 Jul 2007 06:03 AMMichele, I saw your blog, and couldn't resist telling you about our product. Our company, PureCart Systems, manufactures and markets a grocery cart sanitation system. How does it work? Each time the cart retrieval persons at the store bring the grocery carts in from the parking lot, they run them through what looks like a mini car wash. This mini car wash puts a fine sanitizing mist on each cart as it passes through. The sanitizing mist kills 99.999% of the bacteria and germs on the cart, and is safe for human and food contact. The mist dries in 2-5 min., and then each person that comes in the store gets a shopping cart that's free of germs on the ENTIRE cart (not just the part that you wipe, if you use the wipes offered at the store). You'd be surprised how many germs are also located in the basket of the cart, where meat and poultry juices have contaminated the cart too. You can learn more about us at www.purecartsystems.com. We operate from the premise that when a store offers wipes to their customers, they are saying, "We know our carts are dirty--if you'd like to clean them, feel free." With PureCart, a grocery store is saying, "We care enough about your health to offer you a completely sanitized cart each time you come in our store!" If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 920-655-2791. Vicki Harkonen, PureCart Systems, 500 AMS Ct., Suite A, Green Bay, WI 54313.  Michele Cheplic |
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