Shopper's warning to fellow customers: beware of the extra dirty baskets!
- Replies 16
Now that the pandemic has been going on for two years (and a half) already, we are all familiar with the best safety precautions that are advised by health experts all over the world.
At this point, the rules are like second nature already – wear our masks, keep our distance from others, wash our hands often, and keep our spaces clean and free of germs.
Even if the majority of us here have already received our vaccinations and booster shots, it still pays to remain vigilant in all other public settings, especially in supermarkets.
Did you know that this one thing in the grocery store is most brimming with bacteria? Yes, that's right, folks, it's the shopping baskets.
These basket handles are often touched by other customers and can spread bacteria. Credit: Dreamstime. (Stock photo)
The handles of these baskets are often touched by other shoppers, and people hold on to them the whole time they are at the store.
So, unlike other often-touched things like credit card pads or self-checkout screens, grocery baskets have a higher chance of passing bacteria from one person to the next.
On top of that, some shoppers also complain that the shopping baskets they use at their local supermarkets are really filthy, and the management does nothing to clean them despite the presence of glaringly dirty substances like caked-on dirt, dried fluids, and bits of rubbish.
One Woolies shopper has taken to social media to raise his concerns about how dirty his local supermarket's in-store baskets are.
'I have a question, Woolworths,' the person wrote on Twitter. 'How often do you clean your baskets? They are usually dirty, but today they are extra dirty.'
Take a look at the pictures below to see for yourselves!
A Woolworths customer complained about the store's shopping baskets. Credit: Twitter.
In response to the shopper's tweet, several social media users commented and said that they, too, were now trying to avoid the baskets out of hygiene concerns.
'That's feral!' wrote one user, while another added: 'Gross. I use my bags because of this.'
Woolworths has also responded to the post, saying that they are already working with the supermarket in question to look into the matter.
'We appreciate you reaching out regarding the cleanliness of the baskets; we're disappointed to see this,' said a spokesperson.
Reports say that Woolies employees clean the shopping baskets every three days, so this might have just been a bad time for the shopper to witness.
Experts say that grocery store basket handles don't get cleaned as often as they should, and when they do get cleaned, it's hard to do a completely thorough job.
'The structure of the baskets—weave and ridged surfaces—create places for [germs] to hide during cleaning. Baskets are disinfected; however, it is impossible for a retailer to clean each crack and crevice,' said Gail Truco, patient advocate and CEO/founder of Medical Bill 911.
'You carry the basket on your arm, in your hand, or may change hands. Baskets are more likely to rub against clothing, counters, or product surfaces, spreading contamination.'
Shopping trolleys are actually a cleaner option than baskets. Credit: 3AW.
Maybe it's hard to believe, but experts say that shopping carts are much less likely to harbour germs than baskets. With antibacterial wipes, its handle is much easier to clean, and many grocery stores have instructed their employees to wipe it down after each use.
But, of course, we still recommend that you all take extra caution when going shopping! After using the trolleys, place them back in the locations to which they are assigned, and then promptly wash or use antibacterial wipes on your hands.
Even when the pandemic is over, if you keep these tips in mind when you go to the supermarket, you will be able to stay healthy and keep harmful bacteria, viruses, and germs at bay.
Stay safe always, members!
At this point, the rules are like second nature already – wear our masks, keep our distance from others, wash our hands often, and keep our spaces clean and free of germs.
Even if the majority of us here have already received our vaccinations and booster shots, it still pays to remain vigilant in all other public settings, especially in supermarkets.
Did you know that this one thing in the grocery store is most brimming with bacteria? Yes, that's right, folks, it's the shopping baskets.
These basket handles are often touched by other customers and can spread bacteria. Credit: Dreamstime. (Stock photo)
The handles of these baskets are often touched by other shoppers, and people hold on to them the whole time they are at the store.
So, unlike other often-touched things like credit card pads or self-checkout screens, grocery baskets have a higher chance of passing bacteria from one person to the next.
On top of that, some shoppers also complain that the shopping baskets they use at their local supermarkets are really filthy, and the management does nothing to clean them despite the presence of glaringly dirty substances like caked-on dirt, dried fluids, and bits of rubbish.
One Woolies shopper has taken to social media to raise his concerns about how dirty his local supermarket's in-store baskets are.
'I have a question, Woolworths,' the person wrote on Twitter. 'How often do you clean your baskets? They are usually dirty, but today they are extra dirty.'
Take a look at the pictures below to see for yourselves!
A Woolworths customer complained about the store's shopping baskets. Credit: Twitter.
In response to the shopper's tweet, several social media users commented and said that they, too, were now trying to avoid the baskets out of hygiene concerns.
'That's feral!' wrote one user, while another added: 'Gross. I use my bags because of this.'
Woolworths has also responded to the post, saying that they are already working with the supermarket in question to look into the matter.
'We appreciate you reaching out regarding the cleanliness of the baskets; we're disappointed to see this,' said a spokesperson.
Reports say that Woolies employees clean the shopping baskets every three days, so this might have just been a bad time for the shopper to witness.
Experts say that grocery store basket handles don't get cleaned as often as they should, and when they do get cleaned, it's hard to do a completely thorough job.
'The structure of the baskets—weave and ridged surfaces—create places for [germs] to hide during cleaning. Baskets are disinfected; however, it is impossible for a retailer to clean each crack and crevice,' said Gail Truco, patient advocate and CEO/founder of Medical Bill 911.
'You carry the basket on your arm, in your hand, or may change hands. Baskets are more likely to rub against clothing, counters, or product surfaces, spreading contamination.'
Shopping trolleys are actually a cleaner option than baskets. Credit: 3AW.
Maybe it's hard to believe, but experts say that shopping carts are much less likely to harbour germs than baskets. With antibacterial wipes, its handle is much easier to clean, and many grocery stores have instructed their employees to wipe it down after each use.
But, of course, we still recommend that you all take extra caution when going shopping! After using the trolleys, place them back in the locations to which they are assigned, and then promptly wash or use antibacterial wipes on your hands.
Even when the pandemic is over, if you keep these tips in mind when you go to the supermarket, you will be able to stay healthy and keep harmful bacteria, viruses, and germs at bay.
Stay safe always, members!
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