How to Avoid Germs at the Grocery Store: 4 Doctor-Recommended Tips

In the age of global pandemics and heightened awareness of infectious diseases, grocery shopping has become an activity that requires more caution than ever before. While grocery stores are essential places that provide the food and supplies needed for daily living, they also present numerous opportunities for picking up germs. From contaminated shopping carts to the shared surfaces at checkout counters, the potential for exposure to bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens is significant. However, with the right strategies, you can significantly reduce your risk of bringing these unwanted guests into your home.

In this article, we'll explore four effective ways to avoid picking up germs at the grocery store, ensuring that you can shop with peace of mind. These methods are not just quick fixes but involve incorporating habits and practices that can keep you and your family healthier in the long run.

1. Use Contactless Shopping Methods

One of the most effective ways to avoid picking up germs at the grocery store is to minimize your physical interaction with the store itself. Contactless shopping methods have become increasingly popular, and they offer a safer alternative to traditional shopping. These methods include online grocery shopping, curbside pickup, and home delivery services.

• Online Grocery Shopping: Many grocery stores now offer comprehensive online shopping options. You can browse products, compare prices, and complete your purchase from the comfort of your home. This eliminates the need to physically enter the store, significantly reducing your exposure to germs. Stores like Walmart, Target, and Amazon Fresh have well-established online grocery platforms that offer a wide range of products, including fresh produce, meats, and household items.
• Curbside Pickup: If you prefer to shop at your local grocery store, many offer curbside pickup services. You can place your order online and select a convenient time for pickup. When you arrive at the store, an employee will bring your groceries to your car, allowing you to avoid entering the store altogether. This method not only saves time but also limits your exposure to other shoppers and frequently touched surfaces.
• Home Delivery Services: For the ultimate in convenience and germ avoidance, consider using a home delivery service. Services like Instacart, Shipt, and Peapod deliver groceries directly to your door. Many of these services also offer contactless delivery options, where the driver leaves the groceries at your doorstep, further reducing the risk of germ transmission.

Using these contactless methods can help you avoid crowded stores and the potential for exposure to germs on shopping carts, shelves, and checkout counters. Additionally, these services often provide options for digital payments, eliminating the need to handle cash or touch payment terminals.

2. Sanitize Your Shopping Cart and Hands

If you choose to shop in-store, one of the most critical steps you can take to protect yourself is to sanitize your shopping cart and hands. Shopping carts are among the most germ-laden surfaces in a grocery store. A study published in Food Protection Trends found that 72% of shopping carts had bacteria present on the handles, with some even testing positive for E. coli, a bacterium that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness.

• Sanitizing the Cart: Most grocery stores provide sanitizing wipes near the entrance, allowing customers to wipe down the cart handles before use. If your store does not provide these wipes, consider bringing your own. Use the wipes to thoroughly clean the handle and any other parts of the cart that you might touch, such as the child seat area or the sides of the cart. This simple step can remove a significant number of germs and make your shopping experience safer.
• Hand Sanitizer: Carrying a bottle of hand sanitizer with you while shopping is another essential step. Use it frequently, especially after touching items on the shelves, handling produce, or using shared equipment like the self-checkout screens. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol are effective at killing most types of harmful bacteria and viruses. Apply a generous amount and rub your hands together until they are dry, ensuring that the sanitizer covers all surfaces of your hands.
• Avoid Touching Your Face: While shopping, be mindful of your hands and avoid touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs from surfaces can easily transfer to your face, increasing the likelihood of infection. If you need to adjust your mask or glasses, sanitize your hands first to reduce the risk.

By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce your exposure to germs while shopping in-store. Remember that sanitizing your cart and hands is not just about protecting yourself—it's also about preventing the spread of germs to others.

3. Be Selective with What You Touch

Grocery stores are full of high-touch surfaces that can harbor germs. From the produce section to the checkout counter, it's essential to be selective with what you touch and how you handle items in the store.

• Handling Produce: Fresh produce is often displayed openly, allowing customers to pick and choose the items they want. However, this also means that produce can be touched by many different people, increasing the risk of contamination. To minimize your exposure, consider using a produce bag as a barrier between your hand and the fruit or vegetable. Once you select your items, avoid placing them directly in your cart without a bag. Washing produce thoroughly at home is also crucial, even for items with peels or skins that you don't eat.
• Avoid Unnecessary Contact: When shopping, try to avoid touching items unless you intend to purchase them. For example, instead of picking up multiple boxes of cereal to compare prices or ingredients, use your phone to look up product information online. The less contact you have with surfaces in the store, the lower your risk of picking up germs.
• Use Self-Checkout Carefully: If you use a self-checkout station, be mindful of the shared surfaces you touch, such as the touchscreen, payment terminal, and bagging area. Many stores now provide styluses for customers to use on touchscreens, reducing the need to touch the screen directly. If a stylus is not available, use a tissue or the back of your knuckle to navigate the touchscreen. Always sanitize your hands after using self-checkout equipment.
• Bagging Your Groceries: Consider bringing your own reusable bags, but make sure they are clean and sanitized before each use. If you prefer to use store-provided bags, be aware that these bags are often handled by multiple people. You can ask the cashier to place the groceries back in your cart unbagged, allowing you to bag them yourself later. This reduces the number of people who touch your groceries and helps prevent cross-contamination.

By being selective with what you touch and handling items carefully, you can reduce your risk of coming into contact with germs. These practices also encourage a more mindful shopping experience, where you're more aware of your surroundings and the potential risks.

4. Practice Safe Checkout and Payment

The checkout process is one of the most common points of germ transfer in a grocery store. From handling cash to using the payment terminal, this final step of your shopping trip requires careful attention to hygiene.

• Digital Payments: One of the safest ways to avoid germs at checkout is to use digital payment methods. Contactless payment options like Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and contactless credit cards allow you to pay for your groceries without physically touching the payment terminal. Simply tap your phone or card near the terminal to complete the transaction. This method not only speeds up the checkout process but also minimizes your contact with potentially contaminated surfaces.
• Cash and Cards: If you must use cash or a traditional credit card, take precautions to avoid direct contact with the payment terminal or cash. When using a credit card, consider using a tissue or your own stylus to enter your PIN. After handling cash, sanitize your hands immediately. According to a study published in the Journal of Environmental Health, cash can carry a variety of bacteria, including pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause skin infections and respiratory issues.
• Checkout Counter Hygiene: The checkout counter is another high-touch area that can harbor germs. If possible, place your groceries directly on the conveyor belt rather than on the counter itself. Many stores now provide plastic dividers to separate customers' groceries, but these dividers are also touched frequently and can be a source of contamination. Consider using a sanitizing wipe to clean the divider before handling it.
• Bagging Tips: As mentioned earlier, bagging your groceries yourself can help reduce the number of people who touch your items. If a store employee is bagging your groceries, you can request that they use fresh gloves or ask to bag the items yourself. When you arrive home, it's a good practice to wipe down non-porous items like canned goods and bottles with a disinfectant wipe before storing them.

The checkout process is a critical point in your grocery shopping trip where germs can easily be transferred. By using digital payment methods, practicing good hygiene, and being mindful of your surroundings, you can minimize your exposure to germs and complete your shopping trip safely.

Conclusion

Grocery shopping is a necessary activity, but it doesn't have to be risky. By adopting these four strategies—using contactless shopping methods, sanitizing your cart and hands, being selective with what you touch, and practicing safe checkout and payment—you can significantly reduce your risk of picking up germs at the grocery store. These practices not only protect you but also contribute to a healthier community by reducing the spread of germs to others.

Remember, staying healthy requires a combination of vigilance and good habits. By making these practices a part of your routine, you can shop with confidence, knowing that you're taking the necessary steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.