Washing Ziplock bags info from SC Johnson

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Della

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I couldn’t find the original thread on the advisibility of washing and reusing Ziplock food storage bags, but I thought it vitally important that I post the response I got from SC Johnson regarding it:

Consumer Resource Center
SC Johnson, A Family Company
Toll Free Number: 1-800-558-5252
www.scjbrands.com

Reference Number: 012244760B

Dear Kathleen,

Thank you for your e-mail regarding ZIPLOC(r) Storage Bags. We always appreciate hearing from our consumers.

Our ZIPLOC(r) brand bags are designed for one time use. Reusing the bags could lead to cross contamination, which is the leading cause of food-borne illness.

If you have future comments or product information needs, we invite you to visit or e-mail us again at www.scjbrands.com.

Regards,

Nancy H.
 
Thanks 🙂

I NEVER reuse ziplocks… unless there were dry ingredients in there and I just need to shake out the crumbs or whatever.

Good to know I’m doing something right.

…“see Mom?”…

😃
 
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Della:
I couldn’t find the original thread on the advisibility of washing and reusing Ziplock food storage bags, but I thought it vitally important that I post the response I got from SC Johnson regarding it:

Consumer Resource Center
SC Johnson, A Family Company
Toll Free Number: 1-800-558-5252
www.scjbrands.com

Reference Number: 012244760B

Dear Kathleen,

Thank you for your e-mail regarding ZIPLOC(r) Storage Bags. We always appreciate hearing from our consumers.

Our ZIPLOC(r) brand bags are designed for one time use. Reusing the bags could lead to cross contamination, which is the leading cause of food-borne illness.

If you have future comments or product information needs, we invite you to visit or e-mail us again at www.scjbrands.com.

Regards,

Nancy H.
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I would have been very very surprised if SC Johnson would have answered otherwise. First of all, with all the lawsuits going around they would have to be crazy to say it was ok. People do crazy things and then love to sue big companies. Second, they want people to buy more ziplocs, not reuse the ones they have at home.

I think there are cases when it is ok and there are cases when it is not. I use ziplocs for everything, from storing the stuff my baby puts in her mouth (needles to say, those are not reaused), to storing baby clothes that have been outgrown, to storing every open bag of flour, sugar, cookies, etc. I store all my toiletries individually in ziplocs before putting them in a toiletry bag when I am traveling, and the list can go on and on (my sewing projects go in ziplocs, etc.).

Some times I reuse them, some times I don’t. I usually have a lot, but if I’m running low that may be another reason to reuse them. It depends on what was in them (perishable items, toxic, non- food) etc. Some times I will store a few in my freezer (after being lightly with food but still clean) and use them to toss messy things (bones from meat, etc).

My grandma would always wash and reuse them if it didn’t hold raw meat or stuff like that.

BTW, I think the thread was in the Water Cooler area.
 
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Della:
Dear Kathleen,

Thank you for your e-mail regarding ZIPLOC(r) Storage Bags. We always appreciate hearing from our consumers.

Our ZIPLOC(r) brand bags are designed for one time use. Reusing the bags could lead to cross contamination, which is the leading cause of food-borne illness.

If you have future comments or product information needs, we invite you to visit or e-mail us again at www.scjbrands.com.

Regards,

Nancy H.
Click to expand...
Of course they would say that!!! They want you to buy MORE! If you reuse them, you won’t buy as many!

I buy the generic store brand. THey are just as good, but much cheaper.
 
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Catholic90:
Of course they would say that!!! They want you to buy MORE! If you reuse them, you won’t buy as many!
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He.he.he that is what I was thinking too!
I’d say you’re safe if it is not perishable like meat, dairy or rotten & or moldy food. Reuse them for your dry cereal or pretzels.

~P
 
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lifeisbeautiful:
I would have been very very surprised if SC Johnson would have answered otherwise. First of all, with all the lawsuits going around they would have to be crazy to say it was ok. People do crazy things and then love to sue big companies. Second, they want people to buy more ziplocs, not reuse the ones they have at home.

I think there are cases when it is ok and there are cases when it is not. I use ziplocs for everything, from storing the stuff my baby puts in her mouth (needles to say, those are not reaused), to storing baby clothes that have been outgrown, to storing every open bag of flour, sugar, cookies, etc. I store all my toiletries individually in ziplocs before putting them in a toiletry bag when I am traveling, and the list can go on and on (my sewing projects go in ziplocs, etc.).

Some times I reuse them, some times I don’t. I usually have a lot, but if I’m running low that may be another reason to reuse them. It depends on what was in them (perishable items, toxic, non- food) etc. Some times I will store a few in my freezer (after being lightly with food but still clean) and use them to toss messy things (bones from meat, etc).

My grandma would always wash and reuse them if it didn’t hold raw meat or stuff like that.

BTW, I think the thread was in the Water Cooler area.
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In defense of the manufacturer, I have read in post-disaster disease-control articles that even sealed screw-top jars that have been immersed in contaminated water cannot be sanitized and should be thrown out. Ziploc bags have similar little nooks and crannies that you can also never be too sure about.

I think that the rule of thumb is this: if you couldn’t reuse it without washing, don’t re-use it for anything that needs to stay clean. This sounds like what you do. Wiping out the crumbs, sure, but realize that once you get water in the zipper, you’ve established a breeding ground for bacteria. But as for re-using used ones to keep garbage or dirty stuff away from whatever else you’re packing… go for it!

Ziploc bags make great re-usable vacuum bags for packing suitcases. It’s not only easier to get things into a “vacuum-packed” and water-proof state, but also makes it easier to pack and unpack when you’re rooting around inside looking for something.
 
Thank you, BLB. That was my point on the other thread. We shouldn’t assume that food bags will be safe if washed or brushed out. The bags were never intended to be reused for food stuffs. Many times when we think we’ve had so-called “stomach flu” what we’ve actually had is food poisoning of some kind. 😦

I can’t understand why anyone would want to risk their or their family’s health just to save a few pennies. A trip to the hospital with a sick baby isn’t worth it. Please people, don’t wash them or brush them out or transfer foods from one bag to another. Throw them out and use another one. It’s simply not worth it. 😉
 
Another helpful hint, for those who love cheap but want clean, those new reuseable containers (my Foodtown has their own brand very inexpensive other stores might) They come in a variety of sizes and shapes and this is the best part-dishwasher safe:thumbsup: , I use for school luches, left-overs (even speggetti sause) And you can freezer to mircowave. And so much cheaper then tupperware and rubbermaid.
 
As a person close to being fanatical about germs, and extremely careful about food contamination, I have never reused them when used for food items.

also take care reusing water bottles, make sure you only use real water bottles that can be sterilized because the disposable kind that come with water from the store cannot be properly sterilized. I occasionally refill mine with water, but people who refill them over and over need to beware that it could make you sick.
 
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Della:
Thank you, BLB. That was my point on the other thread. We shouldn’t assume that food bags will be safe if washed or brushed out. The bags were never intended to be reused for food stuffs. Many times when we think we’ve had so-called “stomach flu” what we’ve actually had is food poisoning of some kind. 😦

I can’t understand why anyone would want to risk their or their family’s health just to save a few pennies. A trip to the hospital with a sick baby isn’t worth it. Please people, don’t wash them or brush them out or transfer foods from one bag to another. Throw them out and use another one. It’s simply not worth it. 😉
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I totally agree with you, Della!
 
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Della:
I can’t understand why anyone would want to risk their or their family’s health just to save a few pennies. A trip to the hospital with a sick baby isn’t worth it. Please people, don’t wash them or brush them out or transfer foods from one bag to another. Throw them out and use another one. It’s simply not worth it. 😉
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Some people do this just so as to reduce their waste stream, which is an admirable thing. In that case, they need to switch to an alternative that can be re-used safely, as stated above.

I like to use Ziploc bags to marinate meat…absolutely a one-use deal.
 
I will wash out a Ziplock IF it held somethng like pretzels or other non-gooeys (some cheeses are gooeys) or non-stainers (spaghetti sauce is a stainer). I rinse them to get all of whatever it is out of them, usually sal and crumbs. I turn the bag inside out, get it soaped up, rinse it well, and drape it over something long and pointy, like the end of a super-sized serving spoon.

I would NEVER reuse them for meat!!! Ick!!!
 
For those who said never reuse baggies, there are no cross-contamination issues with dry goods. My rule of thumb is, of it has to be washed, I toss it. We buy rye bread that comes in the crappy bags, so I will continue to reuse the same baggie for the rye bread over and over until my husband forgets and thows it away after eating the last piece. I also reuse the ones from my lunch that have crackers, chips, pretzels, whatever. I’ve had the same freezer sized baggie around my flour and sugar for quite some time- just pop it on the new bag when opening. I will reuse the same cheese one, too, if I am using up a cheese brick and opening a new one at the same time. It’s not going to be around long enough to make anyone sick. If I put meat or other liquids in them, I throw them away because they are a pain to clean and you can not be sure if they are clean. But the baggies cost between 5 and 7 cents each, and up to a quarter for the freezer sized ones. It’s a waste to just toss them when all they have are a few crumbs! Crumbs are not going to make you sick.
 
I try not using plastic at all. But when I do, I toss them after use.
~ Kathy ~
 
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