Shouldn't my grocery bagger know better?

Question

We went shopping today. My wife has always gotten bags for any meat we buy, and with the recent outbreak, I see the wisdom of such.

I usually bag my own, but today the store was so busy that all the cashiers had baggers. I looked into the bags, and added items when there was space. When she handed me the bag with our meat (ground beef and chicken, today), I realized that the meat was in the same bag as our produce.

I even said so outloud to the bagger. She just shrugged her shoulders.

Am I wrong to feel a little upset at this?

Answer 1

I would be upset and I think you had every right to be upset too.

I would NEVER put uncooked meat and produce together in the same bag. My aunt did this once with meat and lettuce, and her and my uncle ended up in the hospital because she must not have washed the lettuce very well. I guess if you washed the produce really well it would be okay for some people, but I would personally not like that at all. I just get paranoid over stuff like that.

I worked at a grocery store years ago and I would never bag those two items together. When I bagged meat I would actually put it in one bag, wrap it up good, and put it in another bag.

Did you talk to the manager about it? If you did, the manager probably would have pulled her aside and told her to not bag produce and meat together. Eww.

Answer 2

I would be pi$$ed off!!!

It is so true that the baggers just do not care. Society has contributed to this though, because everybody is always in such a hurry and checkers and baggers feel the pressure to go as fast as possible.

Every single time that I shop, I have to grit my teeth. If there is nobody behind me, I slow them down and make requests. Usually they are very nice about it though. YOU SHOULD BE UPSET ANYTIME ANYBODY GIVES LOUSY SERVICE. The reason why so many do not care, is because so few people demand caring service, even their managers.

When I load my truck, I rebag everything, and make it very obvious exactly what I am doing. If anybody looks at me directly, I tell them that people do not know how to properly bag and it bothers me. I leave the extra bags in the cart, too! But, excessive plastic bags is another story...........

Answer 3

For your own protection, use those bags they usually have in the meat section to cover the packages. And speak up while they are bagging! Ground meat and chicken are higher risk than many other meats after all.

SInce your checker either doesn't care or doesn't get it, you really should have gone to the manager on duty. It wouldn't hurt to bring this to the attention of the store owners, who may have a website.

It's perfectly normal to be annoyed, but this likely won't change from just that. You need to take some action for your safety and that of others.

Answer 4

It shouldn't make a difference as both the meat products and the produce should be washed before use, and since the meat will be cooked that reduces the danger there. Produce can be cleansed by a rinse or a soak in a mild bleach solution but then being health conscious, you probably do that anyways.

Answer 5

I would be very upset about having meat put in with my produce, most baggers put the meat in seperate bags. Evidently you got a lousy bagger, be sure you don't get her next time you shop.

Answer 6

Most baggers are pretty good about bagging meats separately from everything else. This little lass needs to be called to answer. And properly trained, if the problem is ignorance.

If it is attittude- well, need I say more?

Answer 7

They are supposed to be taught this in training. For health reasons, they are supposed to keep meats, produce, and household cleaners in separate bags with nothing else. Even if it wastes a bag.
You were justified in being upset. Call the manager and tell them what happened.

Answer 8

I think anyone with a trace amount of brain cells would know better...but then, we are living in a world where there aren't a lot of smart people working in our service industries.

Makes you wonder why they (the employer) expects so much out of you (& me) if we were either applying for work there, or were working there... when they don't seem to expect much out of the ones who service us in their behalf....! Go figure. I guess the best you (& the rest of us) can do, is be sure to wash your vegetables well when you get them home.. As Martha Stewart says, they need to soak for an HOUR. I throw icecubes in the sink water bath I have the vegetables/fruits in to keep them chilled.

Answer 9

I would probably be upset but also remember that for many grocery baggers this is their first job. It would be appropriate to talk to the manager. Maybe the bagger still needs to be told things 5987 times.

Answer 10

No you're not wrong to be upset...but grocery baggers aren't hired for their IQ...but I'd still go higher and ask someone in the store if they don't have a policy in place.