Shopping exposes us to germs
Your local supermarket is doing everything possible to keep surfaces germ-free, but it’s other shoppers – and particularly their children – that are scattering these nasties around.
Recent research has found that a trolley can be germier than a public restroom. From bacteria to viruses, some stores are hotbeds for incubating these nasties, and in particular child seats on trolleys.
And when you come out of the supermarket, wipe your hands before getting into the car. Then wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you have the chance. Hand sanitizers and wipes are convenient, but their effectiveness can be hindered depending on how dirty or oily your hands are.
2. Don’t use Self-Checkout
Self-checkout may be super convenient, especially for the Supermarket, but it’s also a surefire way to make contact with meddling microbes,
You only have to think of all the grimy hands that have touched the screen throughout the day. Nuff said.
Indeed, according to the US charity Livestrong, “a study published in the Journal of Environmental Health found that only 5 percent of bathroom users washed their hands long enough to effectively kill germs that can cause disease. And a whopping 33 percent skipped the soap and 10 percent didn’t even bother washing their dirty mitts at all”.
3. Ditch convenience foods
Studies show many tested positive for the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes; possibly passed on via meat slicers.
4. Say NO to prepared salads
Sorry – it’s safest to wash and prepare these yourself.
A study published in the Journal of Food: Microbiology, Safety & Hygiene found that E. coli can be easily transferred to a person’s hands while using salad tongs.
5. And NO free samples