Microbiological Study of Reusable Bags and `First or single-use’ Plastic Bags

The use of reusable food containers and carry devices for groceries is an important, to date
overlooked piece in the study of the safety of the food supply in Canada. There has been little to
no testing to investigate the risk reusables pose or do not pose to public health, yet increasingly
reusables are being advanced as a viable substitute for first-use or single use packaging/
containers. The food service sector has been particularly concerned about the use of reusables.
Research conducted last fall on a sample of reusables during the City of Toronto in-store
packaging reduction program sparked even more concern by industry about potential public
health risks. The Environment and Plastics Industry Council (EPIC) accordingly agreed to fund
this independent piece of research in response to these public health concerns.
The position of the plastics industry is clear. The industry strongly supports reduction and reuse,
and recognizes use of reusables as good environmental practice, but it does not want to see these initiatives inadvertently compromise public health and safety. The industry believes that
appropriate independent research and investigation must be pursued.