A reclosable plastic bag includes two panels sealed to form a container having a bottom and an openable top. The plastic bag further includes lips that are adjacent to the openable top and which are initially joined to one another by a removable element. The removable element when attached indicates that the bag has not yet been used. When the removable element is no longer attached this indicates that the bag may have been used (contaminated). The reclosable plastic bag also includes a closure element for sealing and unsealing the openable top of the bag.