To coincide with the new law requiring larger stores to charge 5p for carrier bags, the Food Standards Agency has reminded people how to pack shopping safely.

Raw foods, including meat, fish, eggs and unwashed vegetables, may harbour germs that can cause food poisoning.

For this reason, packing them with ready-to-consume food such as bread, cheese and cooked meats, can allow the bugs to spread.

Mixing products is especially risky if there are leaks or spills.

Top tips for keeping your family safe and healthy are…

• Pack raw foods and ready-to-consume foods in separate bags, either a reusable bag for life or a 5p carrier. Bags that contain only unwrapped food will continue to be free.
• If using bags for life, keep some for raw foods only.
• Check bags for spills such as juice, meat juice or soil each time you use them. Contaminated single-use bags should be disposed of. Bags for life can be machine washed.

The new carrier bag law, in force from Monday October 5, follows similar charges being introduced in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.