Common ways to give yourself food poisoning.

Are you unknowingly putting yourself at risk? U.S. News has gathered a list of common ways to give yourself food poisoning.

Not washing out your shopping bags

Reusable grocery bags may be good for the environment, but they're not always good for you. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, only one in every six people washes out reusable shopping bags on a regular basis. This can turn your handy totes into a breeding ground for bacteria, with juices from raw meat mixing with ready-to-eat foods like bread and fruit, the academy says. To help keep your food safe in transit, be sure to regularly wash your reusable bags in the washing machine or with hot, soapy water. You should also take care to separate your groceries: Use one bag for meat, poultry, and fish, and another bag for vegetables. When you've finished unloading your bags, store them in a clean, dry location (the trunk of your car doesn't count).

Keeping groceries in the car

The key to food safety is keeping food at the correct temperature. This can be a bit tricky when you're transporting your groceries from the store to your fridge--especially if you leave them in the car while you run other errands. If you can't head straight home from the store, bring along insulated bags for meat and dairy products to prevent spoiling.

Ignoring the temperature of your fridge