I would have to say that in my opinion its full of germs, its handled by numerous people, its in contact with 100 of people, its thrown in the back of a persons car or a truck. As far as the bagged stuff you buy in a store, i guess its like buying animals from a reputable breeder you trust them. Do i think the newspaper people are intentionally infecting there newspaper, no do i think it more likely to be un sanitary then a product that is produced and bagged yes