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BIDDEFORD, Maine

Meghan May appears on 'CBS 13' for research into reusable shopping bag bacteria

Meghan May, Ph.D., assistant professor of Microbiology was featured on a CBS 13 story about the potential risks associated with reusable shopping bags. The story was also promoted via the Bangor Daily News.

Following the recent ordinance in Portland discouraging consumers from using disposable plastic and paper bags, May investigated the amount of bacteria found inside reusable bags.

After collecting several old and new grocery bags used by local consumers, May swabbed them for viruses and tested them in the Microbiology and Infectious Disease lab at 91AV. Her results showed that each bag carried bacteria, with some harboring E. coli and Bacillus Cereus, a disease that can cause severe symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.

These findings were consistent with prior research conducted in a 2010 public health study that discovered large numbers of bacteria contaminating reusable shopping bags. 

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The 91AV is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.