How to Ensure that Your Shopping Trolleys are Safe from Microbial Contamination

March 11, 2020

Groceries and supermarkets acquire shopping trolleys so that they can provide comfort to their consumers. Consumers can easily bring products with them as they do their regular shopping through the use of shopping trolleys. While shopping trolleys truly bring convenience and comfort to consumers, they are actually exposed to different bacterial species whenever they use these trolleys.

The Use Cycle of Shopping Trolleys

In a regular supermarket setup, most consumers would get a shopping trolley as soon as they enter. Upon purchase of their products, supermarket personnel would bring these shopping trolleys back to where they are usually positioned. The cycle of getting and returning shopping trolleys repeats almost a hundred times in just a single day.

You see, consumers who don’t practice good hygiene practices can quickly transfer the bacteria from their body down to the handles and baskets of shopping trolleys. Moreover, consumers who have cold or other contagious diseases can also spread bacteria as soon as they use these trolleys. If these trolleys are not disinfected regularly by the supermarket, then the chances of microbial transfer from one consumer to another will be high. 

Microbial Contamination on Shopping Trolleys

Different case studies have confirmed the presence of numerous bacterial species on shopping trolleys. As a matter of fact, the bacterial levels found on shopping trolleys are much higher than those found in public restrooms, airports, bus stations, and other public places. This situation indicates that the risk of coming into contact with a disease-causing organism will be high when a consumer uses a shopping trolley. 

One of the most prominent bacteria that are found on shopping trolleys, especially in handles and baskets, is Escherichia coli (E. coli). This type of bacteria is mostly found in the intestines of healthy people and animals and is deemed harmless. However, there are times where this bacterium can cause brief diarrhoea. Some strains of this bacterium, though, can cause severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhoea, and vomiting.

Ways to Eradicate Microbial Contamination

There are multiple ways of removing microbes and bacteria on shopping trolleys. One of these ways involves the use of sanitary wipes as they contain quaternary ammonium compounds that can get rid of bacteria. The staff can use these sanitary wipes in cleaning used shopping trolleys before they return these trolleys to their designated places. The management of the grocery or supermarket can also offer sanitary wipes to the customers for them to personally clean the handle, basket, and child seat of the trolleys. 

Another way of eradicating microbial contamination is the use of disposable plastic barriers. These barriers can be used in covering the handle and other hand contact areas of a shopping trolley. After using the shopping trolley, these plastic barriers will be removed by the staff and replace them with new ones. 

When washing the shopping trolleys, the staff can mix and use an alkaline detergent and quaternary ammonium. The combination of these two compounds can effectively clean and disinfect all parts of the shopping trolleys. 

Shopping trolleys can be safe from microbial contamination if the owner of a grocery or supermarket can clean them regularly. If you want to know more about the cleaning and maintenance of shopping trolleys, you can always contact us at SOS Retail Sales.

Head Office VIC

SOS Retail Sales
16 Brett Drive, Carrum Downs Vic 3201
Ph: 1300 131 383
Fax: 03 9775 0733

NSW Office

SOS Maintenance Services Pty Ltd
1/6 Smoothy Place, Arndell Park NSW 2148
Ph: 1300 131 383

Email: [email protected]