What is BPA, And What Does It Have To Do With Earth Fare?

The following was taken from the Environmental Working Group's Website.

Bisphenol A, or BPA, is an industrial chemical used to make two common synthetics:

• Polycarbonate, a clear, rigid, shatter-resistant plastic found in a wide variety of consumer products, including food and drink containers.
• Epoxy resins, used in industrial adhesives and high-performance coatings. Epoxy coating lines most of the 131 billion food and beverage cans made in the U.S. annually.

BPA is a synthetic estrogen that can disrupt the endocrine system, even in small amounts. It has been linked to a wide variety of ills, including infertility, breast and reproductive system cancer, obesity, diabetes, early puberty, behavioral changes in children and resistance to chemotherapy treatments.

EWG's test of major retailers' store receipts conducted in 2010, found that 40 percent were coated with BPA. The chemical can rub off on hands or food items. Some may be absorbed through the skin.

BPA can be found in canned foods, plastics, and store receipts.  See EWG for more information

How to limit exposure to BPA in receipts

• Say no to receipts when possible
• Keep receipts in an envelope.
• Never give a child a receipt to hold or play with.
• Wash your hands before preparing and eating food after handling receipts.
• Do not recycle receipts and other thermal paper. BPA residues will contaminate recycled paper.

Since I shop at Earth Fare regularly, I was curious to know if their store receipts contained BPA, so I sent them an email asking about this.  Here is their reply:
Hi Debbie,
Thank you for your email and interest in Earth Fare! I am pleased to let you know, the receipt paper we use is BPA free. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. Hope you have a great week.

Kind regards,
Jamie Farabollini
Front End Specialist
Earth Fare the healthy supermarket

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