How to Test for Germs on Shopping Carts

Is your shopping cart holding more than just food?

Surface bacteria can build up on anything, but shopping carts are one of the worst offenders for harboring germs because of the way they are used. As shoppers place foods --- including raw meats and poultry --- into the carts, juices can leak spreading potentially harmful bacteria. Users who neglect to wash their hands before touching the carts also add their own germs to the mix.

For this reason health-conscious shoppers may wish to test their cart for germs before use, while store owners should to monitor cart cleanliness in order to ensure customer safety.

Things You'll Need

• Instant Bacteria Swab Test Kit (for on-the-spot testing)
• Sterile swabs
• Swab-collection containers
• Agar Plates

Instructions

On-the-Spot Bacteria Check Using Sight, Smell and Swabs.

1. 

   Inspect shopping carts for visible dirt and spillages which may harbor germs.

   Look at the shopping cart surfaces. Notice any visible spillages or dirty spots on the cart, seat or handle.

2. 

   Unpleasant odors can indicate bacterial growth.

   Sniff the cart to detect any unpleasant odors that may indicate bacterial growth.

3. 

   Swab tests can instantly confirm the presence of bacteria.

   Test the handle, seat and storage areas of the cart for bacteria using an on-the-spot swab test. Pass the pretreated swab over the surface of the cart. Wait for the swab to change color, indicating the presence of bacteria. Look at the darkness of the color as some tests are designed to exhibit darker colors for higher concentrations of bacteria.

Checking for Bacteria in the Lab using Agar Plates

1. 

   Label sterile swaps for areas you wish to test.

   Prepare your equipment for a controlled shopping cart test by cutting a number of 1-inch square templates from paper and labeling swab collection containers for the handle, seat and storage area of the shopping cart.

2. 

   Swab the shopping cart handle, seat and storage area for germs.

   Place the cutout paper template on the handle of the shopping cart. Wipe over the area of the template with the sterile swab. Place the swab in its labeled collection container. Repeat for the seat and storage area.

3. 

   Apply swabs from the shopping cart to the agar plates.

   Label agar plates for the shopping cart handle, seat and storage area. Wipe the corresponding swabs over the agar plates and store them in a uniform environment.

4. 

   Bacterial colonies from a contaminated swab will appear on agar plates.

   Check the agar plates for the presence of bacteria. Colonies may begin to appear within hours. Use a microscope to identify the bacterium present.

Tips & Warnings

• Carry antibacterial wipes to clean surfaces that test positive for bacteria before use.

• Help prevent the spread of germs by following health and safety guidelines.

• Be aware of the dangers of bacterial contact. Wash your hands after testing and swabbing. Treat any colonies created using agar plates with caution and dispose of them responsibly.

References

• US National Library of Medicine: Riding in Shopping Carts and Exposure to Raw Meat and Poultry Products.
• Minnesota Department of Health: Handwashing, Prevent Disease and Outbreak Intervention
• Centers for Disease Control:The Germ Freak's Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu (Book Review)
• Hendrix College: Sampling and Isolation Bacteria

Resources

• New York State Department of Health: This is How Germs Spread... It's Sickening!