I’m a doctor. Here’s why I never touch supermarket receipts: ‘Wow. I’ve never thought of that’
A doctor has sparked a heated debate after revealing she refuses to touch supermarket receipts – and insists her children steer clear of them too.
Dr Poonam Desai, a US-based physician who lives in New York City, explained that most thermal paper receipts contain harmful chemicals like BPA (Bisphenol-A) and BPS (Bisphenol-S).
The receipts you get from supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations, restaurants, and clothing stores are typically printed on thermal paper, which is often coated with either BPA or BPS.
Those chemicals can disrupt hormones, increase the risk of cancer, and even cause developmental issues in children.
‘I am a doctor, and I do not touch receipts – and I do not let my children play with or touch receipts either,’ Dr Desai warned in a video that’s now gone viral.
The revelation has left many people stunned, with one shocked viewer commenting: ‘Wow. I’ve never thought of that.’
Studies have found that BPA levels on individual receipts can be up to 1,000 times higher than what’s found in a can of food.
Most people think BPA exposure comes from plastic water bottles or food containers, but receipts are a huge source of exposure.
Dr Poonam Desai, a US-based physician who lives in New York City, explained that most thermal paper receipts contain harmful chemicals
What’s even more alarming is how quickly the chemical can be absorbed through the skin – especially if you’ve just used hand cream or sanitiser.
A study by the University of Missouri found that BPA absorption drastically increases when someone uses skin-care products like hand sanitiser, soap, or sunscreen before handling a receipt.
Dr Desai stressed that even small exposures over time can be harmful, and because receipts are so common, the risk can easily add up.
She said she always opts for digital receipts – via email or text – and recommends others do the same.
For those who can’t avoid handling receipts, it is advised to wash your hands immediately afterward and avoiding using hand sanitiser first.
Many people online were horrified by the revelation, with some admitting they’d never thought about the hidden danger of everyday receipts.
‘I touch receipts all the time. This is terrifying,’ one woman wrote.
Another added: ‘I’m a cashier and I had no idea about this. Shouldn’t this be more widely known?’
The receipts you get from supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations, restaurants, and clothing stores are typically printed on thermal paper, which is often coated with either BPA or BPS
While most thermal receipts still contain BPA or BPS, some stores have begun switching to BPA-free options or digital receipts to limit exposure.
Many people appreciated the health warning, but others were skeptical.
‘We can’t touch or do or each anything now,’ one commenter said.
Another wrote: ‘Great. Another thing to add to the list of things we’re supposed to be scared of.’
