Keyboards, coins and bills, remote controls and even the cell phone. Every day, and without knowing it, humans interact with and touch more than 10 everyday objects that have more germs and bacteria than a bathroom and another one of them are shopping carts and baskets.

It is clear that when it comes to choosing a supermarket, many factors play a role. The fundamental one is location and schedule, but there are a few others. It is also determined by price; the variety of products available, with special attention to fresh foods; and promotions and discounts for customers. The flyers, coupons, 3×2 and second unit at 70% are still very popular. Nor should we forget other aspects such as the quality of the private label or the possibility of home delivery or online purchase. However, another aspect that never goes unnoticed by consumers is that of order and, above all, cleanliness. There is no place in the world or business that brings together in such a small space such a variety of environments and products. Butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers… each with their own needs, regulations and the possibility of cross-contamination.

According to a study by the University of Arizona, shopping baskets and carts can contain up to 10 million bacteria and in 72% of the cases the most frequent are Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

And that’s not to mention all the equipment that is used every day in supermarkets and other food stores. Shop windows, entrances and elevators to shelves, cold rooms, freezer cabinets, counters, shopping carts, aisles and … even work uniforms! Also with electronic equipment such as stock managers, cash registers and payment terminals. Everything must always be clean and disinfected. It is also very important how the merchandise is positioned on the shelves and how easy it is to find it. It is usually from left to right and from top to bottom ordered from highest to lowest price. Be that as it may, in the end the important thing is that they all end up together, precisely, in the shopping carts and baskets. Incidentally, it is undoubtedly one of the great forgotten, until recently, of cleaning in commercial establishments.

Lists, shopping carts, germs and bacteria

It has happened to everyone… Going to pick up a shopping cart and having to remove the fruit shop gloves, bags and papers of the previous customer. It is no longer only about what can be seen but also about what is imperceptible to the human eye. When you go grocery shopping, you always have a list, even if along the way you add a few more treats. What you should never take home, however, are germs. No kidding, it’s easier than it looks. According to a recent study by the University of Arizona, shopping baskets and bags can contain up to 10 million bacteria. Furthermore, in 72% of the cases, the most frequent are Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The worst thing is that all the food is deposited there one by one, and even the children, if they have the appropriate space.

Food safety and hygiene: cleaning and disinfection in supermarkets

The problem is that no one goes to the supermarket as a kid with new shoes, let alone clean ones. It does not matter what material they are made of, the size of the supermarket or how often it is used. In the end, they always accumulate food and liquid remains and find the perfect place to proliferate at the bottom of the basket. Also in the handles and grips, which is the space that is most touched and interacted with by the hands. Much higher pathogen levels than in public restrooms, airports or shopping malls. So, every precaution is too little: use gel dispensers like System push before and after shopping, use gloves to avoid direct contact with food, handle your cell phone as little as possible and, what no one ever does, wash your reusable bags when you get home!

The highest concentration of bacteria in supermarket carts is found in the handles where coliforms and enterobacteria tend to predominate and children’s seats which show high concentrations of E. coli.

That’s on the consumer side, because this same study also concludes that the only way to get rid of the high number of bacteria present in carts is to clean them daily. In fact, since the pandemic in many establishments already indicates with seals on which you can read “sanitized cart” or similar texts, but the key is undoubtedly to do it with effective products with a high concentration of active ingredients such as those from
G2 Green
. However, always respecting food hygiene standards and with the utmost care for the environment and one of the best examples are
TEC VIR
y
TECTON 4HG2 STANDARD HA
.

• TEC VIR: Multipurpose broad-spectrum/ready-to-use disinfectant. Eliminates 99.9% of encapsulated germs and viruses. Authorized for use by both professional personnel and the general public on all types of surfaces. Ready to use and for application in the food industry and mass catering. Wherever maximum hygienic quality is required, such as bakeries, utensils, furniture and other food transport elements such as shopping carts and baskets.

• TECTON 4HG2 NORMA HA: Product specially indicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces thanks to its properties and active ingredients. Powerful multi-purpose cleaner with bactericidal and fungicidal action. Product tested in laboratories and approved by health. Complies with the HA standard for use in the food industry. In addition to its disinfectant characteristics, it is a neutral product ideal for all types of surfaces and with a great degreasing action.

So, always Think big, Clean green!