These 16 Things Found in Arizona Grocery Stores are Filthy!

During the pandemic, were you one of the people who used Clorox wipes to wipe down groceries after shopping? Don't be embarrassed if you said 'yes' to that statement; a lot of us did that.

When the pandemic started, we weren't sure how the virus was transmitted. We changed things slightly after learning that airborne transmission was more common for COVID-19 than picking it up off a surface.

READ: URGENT: Recall Issued for Waffles Sold in These Arizona Stores!

While we became hyper-aware of germs a few years ago, many of us have returned to the old ways. But honestly, we might have been on to something in those years, and going back to those habits might make us all a little healthier.

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Arizona Grocery Stores: A Hotbed of Viruses and Bacteria

It makes sense that if a lot of people handle something, it's going to end up covered in germs. A friend of mine recently came down with a cold. She blamed a co-worker for her illness. According to my friend, her colleague came to work sick, and she was sure - infected everyone.

After talking to my friend, we realized her co-worker had been sick a few weeks before, and it was unlikely she'd been the source of my friend's illness. Even though we tend to look for local causes to pin the blame when we get sick, like sick co-workers or family members, the real cause is likely lurking somewhere where we all visit: the grocery store.

READ: Deadly Listeria Outbreak. Recall for Lunch Meat Sold in Arizona

Bacteria and Viruses Hiding in Arizona Grocery Stores

Grocery stores are a hotbed of germs. Handling products in the supermarket can expose you to a wide variety of bacteria and viruses.

Here are some of the most common germs lurking in the aisles of your supermarket:

• E. coli: Found on produce, meat, and surfaces like shopping carts and refrigerator handles.
• Salmonella: Commonly found in raw meat, poultry, and eggs, it can also lurk on packaging for these items.
• Listeria: Found in deli meats, unpasteurized dairy products, and produce.
• Norovirus: Can be present on any surface touched by an infected person.
• Campylobacter: Often found in raw poultry and unpasteurized milk. While most milk is pasteurized in the grocery store, other products can harbor this bacteria.
• Staphylococcus aureus: Can be found on surfaces and in improperly handled food.

We may not want to wipe down every product before putting it away, but you can do something: when you leave the grocery store and get in your car, use wet wipes to clean the worst of the germs off your hands.

Then, wash your hands the moment you get home. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Sources:  TODAY | Best Life | FoodSafety.gov