Shopping carts typically have more fecal matter on them than public toilets do, simply because shopping carts are disinfected less often. Shopping carts also regularly test positive for mucus and saliva, as well as urine, e. coli and juice and blood from raw meat. In fact, the only two regularly used public items that are dirtier than shopping carts are playground equipment and shared armrests on buses and trains.
More facts about shopping carts:
Shopping carts also can be quite dangerous for children. Every year, more than 20,000 kids younger than 5 years old are treated in emergency rooms for shopping cart-related injuries.
The first shopping carts were actually foldable — they consisted of a frame that could hold two baskets when it was folded out but was only about 5 inches (12 cm) wide when folded up.
Shopping carts aren’t the only shopping-related item that gets dirty. Reusable bags can become breeding grounds for bacteria if they are not washed regularly, particularly if they are used to carry meat.