918. Naked Fruit on the Seat of a Grocery Cart

In this episode of Risky or Not, hosts Professor Ben Chapman and Dr. Don Schaffner tackle a surprisingly specific question: is it risky to place fresh produce on the toddler seating area of a grocery cart and then eat it? The discussion stems from a live audience question at the NACS conference, where the hosts were invited to appear in person—a rare event for their audio-only podcast. While they acknowledge the novelty of meeting listeners face-to-face, they emphasize that the core value lies in answering real-world food safety questions with evidence-based clarity. Drawing on a 2023 study published in Food Protection Trends by Chuck Gerber and Sherry Maxwell, they highlight that shopping carts harbor significant microbial contamination, including coliforms and E. coli, with 62% of carts testing positive for coliforms and 51% for E. coli. However, the hosts conclude that placing naked produce on the cart’s seat—while not ideal—is not significantly risky, especially if the surface isn’t visibly soiled. They stress that the real risk comes from raw meat packaging in carts, which has been linked to salmonella and campylobacter infections in children. The conversation also veers into lighthearted personal anecdotes, including the hosts’ differing levels of observational awareness—Ben admits he’s oblivious to neighborhood details like house colors, while Don is highly attuned to them—adding a human touch to the science. Ultimately, the episode reinforces the podcast’s mission: to cut through ambiguity and deliver clear, actionable food safety guidance.