The findings of a University of Arizona study about the cleanliness of reusable canvas shopping bags has been circulating online for awhile but it’s worth repeating. Basically, researchers tested shopping bags in Tucson, Los Angeles, and San Francisco and found that:
More than half contained potentially harmful bacteria—more than 12% of the bags contained e. coli.
Don’t forget to wash your canvas shopping bags – and don’t forget to bring them with you when you’re out shopping (for food or fashion)!
threadbared 
Without diminishing the conclusion that one should wash their canvas bag, I feel that it is worth noting (since the authors of this blog seem to like political economy) that this study was funded by the American Chemistry Council who have an interest in ensuring the continuing use of plastic and plastic bags.
I was just about to say the same thing — the timing of the study is also suspicious, seeing as how California (I believe) has just banned all plastic bags from retail.
i had no idea! thanks for sharing this info!
but if the underlying purpose of the study was to scare people from their reusable bags and back to plastic – it totally didn’t work on me. it just makes me want to wash my canvas bags!
If you are looking for procrastination / enjoy reading PR – The “Learning Center” section on site for American Chemical Council is revealing about their intentions. Most of it seems to focus on cities banning plastic bags (as Mimi mentions above).
http://www.americanchemistry.com/plastics/sec_learning.asp?CID=1102&DID=4256
\n back to work
P.S. LOVE your blog.
Wow, thanks for sharing that. Equally important is that first comment and I’m sure that’s the motivating factor for this recent study. Plastic bags are gnarly and I’m proud that my state felt the same way.
On a sillier note, I have that Anya Hindmarch bag. Asael and I waited about an 1 hour in line to get it. We both bought 2. I kept mine but he sold both of his on ebay for over $100 – they retailed for like $15. Hilarious!