‘Touching 1 Receipt for 10 Seconds’ Results in Exposure to the Chemical BPS Above the Safe Limit
CEH takes legal action against 119 companies
OAKLAND, California – Nonprofit watchdog CEH has taken legal action against 119 companies after investigations found high levels of Bisphenol S (BPS)–the lesser-known but harmful chemical cousin to BPA in receipt paper. The retailers include The Cheesecake Factory, GAP, Claire’s, Subway, Forever 21, and Burger King. Read the full list below.
BPS, like BPA, is a hormone-disrupting chemical that mimics estrogen and can disrupt the normal functioning of the body, including metabolism, growth and development, and reproduction. Studies show that BPS can be absorbed through skin when handling receipt paper–even for short periods.
“Based on these studies and testing by an independent lab, the concentrations were so high that touching only 1 receipt with BPS for 10 seconds resulted in exposure above the safe harbor level which requires a clear and reasonable warning to consumers,” said Mihir Vohra, Science Lead at CEH.
BPS was added to the list of chemicals known to the state of California to cause reproductive issues at the end of 2023, which allowed businesses a one-year grace period to ensure that their products either did not contain this chemical, or included a warning for the presence of BPS.
Previously, CEH achieved legal agreements with major retailers and suppliers of receipts, requiring that they remove BPA from their receipt thermal paper.
“For more than two decades, CEH has ensured that companies and manufacturers that remove one toxic chemical from their products do not replace it with another regrettable substitute like a toxic shell game,” said Kizzy Charles-Guzman, CEO at CEH. “These companies have the opportunity to improve their product specifications so that the receipt paper they purchase is safe for their workers and customers.”
To reduce your exposure to BPS, CEH recommends consumers decline printed receipts when possible.
“Store workers who must handle receipts should wear gloves if possible or avoid using alcohol-based hand cleaners before handling a receipt because it can significantly increase the absorption of BPS,” said Shakoora Azimi-Gaylon, Senior Director of the Toxic Exposures and Pollution Prevent Program at CEH. “Receipts are made from thermal paper which shouldn’t be recycled because they contain bisphenols like BPA and BPS, that can contaminate the recycling stream and pose health and environmental risks ”
Learn more about how California’s Proposition 65 improves public health.
Full list of retailers:
Ross
Aesop
Exxon
Lowe’s
Saks Off 5th
Walmart
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Cardenas
Fedex
Grocery Outlet
Chase
Kroger (Foods Co)
McDonald’s
Phillips 66 (76)
Taco Bell
Burger King
Caleres (Famous Footwear)
Capital One
Capital One Cafe
Converse
Crumbl
Daiso
Forever 21
Franchise World Headquarters (Subway)
Foot Locker
Hat World (Lids)
Jack in the Box
Nordstrom
Peet’s Coffee
JC Penney
Pressed
Spencer’s
The Cheesecake Factory
Gap
Victoria’s Secret
Yard House
Smart & Final
Office Depot
Staples
TST/Impreso (Alliance)
Chanel
Dollar General
AMC
GameStop
Cinnabon
Fat Brands (Hot Dog on a Stick)
Amazon
Raising Cane’s
Red Robin
PF Chang’s
Shell
Williams Sonoma
Shake Shack
Dutch Bros
Dunkin’
The Habit
Harbor Freight
Pizza Hut
Domino’s
Dennys
Little Caesar
Dollar Tree
Cold Stone
Ulta
IHOP
Red Lobster
Olive Garden Holdings
Applebee’s
Carl’s Jr.
Tractor Supply
Sonic
KFC
Petco
Petsmart
Autozone
Burlington
Five Guys
Papa John’s
Papa Murphy’s
Baskin Robbins
MOD
Brinker International (Chili’s)
Dairy Queen
Vallarta Supermarkets
CAVA
Checkers
Ralphs
Einstein Bros
Longhorn Steakhouse
Bristol Farms
Gong Cha Tea
Berkeley Bowl
Costco Wholesale
Paris Baguette
Jimmy John’s
Charleys Cheesesteaks
Amy’s Drive Thru
Sweetgreen
Cracker Barrel
Golden Corral
Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream (Haagen Dazs)
Noodles & Company
Ghirardelli
Ben & Jerry’s
The Container Store
Crate & Barrel
Vuori
Apple
Arby’s
Texas Roadhouse
Firehouse Subs
BJ’s
85C
Black Bear Diner
Wells Fargo
Wetzel’s Pretzels
Ace Hardware
Del Taco
Church’s