If you are the one out of six people who wash their grocery totes - kudos to you. If you are not, you are so busted! As we all try to be a little more eco-friendly, reusable grocery totes have become increasingly popular when it comes to transporting groceries. A recent survey conducted by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that few Americans, only 15 percent to be exact, wash their bags. Dirty grocery totes create a breeding zone for harmful bacteria.

Cross-contamination occurs when juices from raw meats or germs from unclean objects come in contact with cooked or ready-to-eat foods like breads or produce. The lingering bacteria can contaminate foods that may not be washed before eaten. Unfortunately, each year, 48 million Americans are affected by food poisoning caused by foodborne pathogens such as salmonella, listeria and E. coli.

Many of us take great care to separate raw meats from ready-to-eat foods when shopping, storing, cooking and serving foods, but we forget about our totes. Washing your totes will help prevent food poisoning. Also have at least two separate totes, one for prepared foods and produce and one for other foods is always a safety precaution.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, bacteria can be eliminated by:

• Frequently washing your grocery tote, either in the washing machine or by hand with hot, soapy water;

• Cleaning all areas where you place your totes, such as the kitchen counter;

• Storing totes in a clean, dry location; and

• Avoiding leaving empty totes in the trunk of a vehicle.

When purchasing meat, poultry and fish, it is always a good idea to wrap them in plastic bags before placing in the tote so that juices don't leak out. Unfortunately, this sort of defeats the whole eco-friendly purpose of the totes. There are some great reasons for being a vegetarian!

These safety precautions are nothing new. It is always recommended to separate raw meats from ready-to-eat foods when preparing food in the kitchen and to use two cutting boards: one strictly to cut raw meat, poultry and seafood; the other for ready-to-eat foods, like breads and vegetables. They should be washed in hot, soapy water or in the dishwasher after each use and discarded if they have cracks, crevices and excessive knife scars, because bacteria can harbor there.

"Death by grocery bag" is not an ideal statement for your headstone. Visit www.homefoodsafety.org for additional safety tips on how to avoid cross-contamination and food poison.