Since the plastic bag 50cents ....

Posted by meiji (95 days ago)

have you bought LESS ?

I found my grocery bill has reduced significantly since the implementation of this new policy at supermarket.

I bring 4 big bags now to supermarket, and when I hit the point where I think it wouldn't fit into all those bags.... I start removing alot of items.

Now, I have the hang of it, I buy aLOT less than before.

When I ask the cashier at TASTE last week, she said, it's SO true, their sales have reduced alot since people only buy what fits into their brought plastic bags.

Also, I am very concerned about the food safety now with this policy. I see the cashiers packing raw meats, raw chicken, fresh fish, raw eggs, into the same bag with salad lettuce, and fruits..... very scary!

Just wondering how it has changed your lifestyle...

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Posted by funbobby (94 days ago)

hasn't changed in the slightest since we used cloth bags since they first made their appearance a few years ago, and if we need to buy alot, we can always get the dry goods delivered...

we buy our fresh meat separately at the wet market, so I don't care about eggs and veg together in one bag (the eggs are in a carton, and the veg in the thin produce bags anyway...)

Posted by axptguy38 (94 days ago)

No change. Just as funbobby I have not used plastic bags for years. A Citysuper insulated bag (well invested HK$80), my backpack and delivery cover my needs nicely.

"I see the cashiers packing raw meats, raw chicken, fresh fish, raw eggs, into the same bag with salad lettuce, and fruits..... very scary! "

Not really dangerous. Raw eggs are hardly dangerous. Many people eat eggs raw. Besides, they're in a carton and in shells. Apart from pork and chicken, you can eat most meat and fish raw as well. Just put the meat and fish at the bottom. And you can always bring a bag just for fish and meat.

Posted by Butterfly Effect (94 days ago)

Don't the words "bacterial growth", "cross-contamination" and "food poisoning" mean anything to you?

Posted by sistim (94 days ago)

No change, have used canvas bags for 20 years, people used to think I was was a bit odd, now I'm mainstream. ;) I think most people here shop close to home so there isn't time for bacteria to grow & if you're talking about supermarket food, it's all wrapped in plastic anyway, so by the time I get it home, 5 mins later, there's not even chance for it to leak.

Posted by axptguy38 (93 days ago)

"Don't the words "bacterial growth", "cross-contamination" and "food poisoning" mean anything to you?"

Haha. Yes of course, but in the YEARS I have been packing my groceries this way, I have never had food poisoning from eating at home. The stuff is only in the bags for max 30 minutes. Not much time for bacterial growth or cross contamination.

Naturally if I buy a fresh piece of chicken of pork, this will be packed separately, and the cashier typically puts it in a separate little bag without asking. Same for fish but that's mostly because the smell can travel. For the rest (eggs, beef, fish, lamb), there is no problem if they are in the same bag. The package they come in will keep them contained long enough.

Posted by evildeeds (93 days ago)

For me it's simple as shopping for me is an impulse thing anyway and I am so busy. So I simply do not shop! Internet for as much as possible and my maid for the stuff I cannot get online / fresh food. Issue for me is that the smallest bin bag I can now get is twice the size of my small bin so I now throw away twice as much plastic when the bin is full. Environmentally friendly I'm sure!

Posted by Butterfly Effect (93 days ago)

A living animal has mechanisms to keep bacteria at bay. Living flesh does not normally contain bacteria. Once the animal is slaughtered, bacteria grows immediately on the butchered flesh. Bacteria can grow at ~4-60°C. The piece of meat purchased from the supermarket already has bacteria growing on it.

Posted by axptguy38 (93 days ago)

I'm sure there are bacteria growing on the meat. I'm saying that there is no need for surgical procedures when handling food. Normal hygiene is sufficient.

Posted by cd (92 days ago)

Our supermarkets still put chicken etc in small bags and don't charge for those.
My habits haven't changed as I've used cloth bags for a long time. The thing I don't get is why its only the supermarkets that charge for bags, none of the small shops (usually in Sai Kung) do?