Are receipts really toxic? We asked a doctor

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01-07-2025

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Many people online will tell you paper receipts are toxic to touch. We logged off and asked a doctor how concerned we should be about holding our grocery store dockets.
We all know someone who refuses to touch paper receipts.
Whether a result of a sensory issue or the fear spread online about the toxicity of bisphenol A (BPA) on the thermal paper, people are hesitant to accept their dockets from sales assistants.
So, should we all be grabbing our receipts with tongs like creators on TikTok?
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What is BPA?
A key selling point of countless plastic food containers, baby bottles, food products, and even pet food, what does 'BPA free' actually mean?
Bisphenol A has been used in the production of many plastics and resins since the 1950s, according to Mayo Clinic, including those used to make containers, bottles, cans, and bottle lids.
Some research has shown the chemical can seep into foods and drinks from packaging.
Some research has shown the chemical can seep into foods and drinks from packaging. Image: iStock
With the word 'toxic' tacked on to the term more and more, we paused the scary videos online, and spoke to an expert to figure out if we really need gloves or tongs if we're going to be holding a receipt.
Dr Michela Sorensen tells Body+Soul BPA 'has been shown to be an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can disrupt certain hormones if consumed in high doses. This can potentially lead to fertility issues, diabetes, obesity and cancer.'
What are the risks of touching your receipt?
Before you miss out on a refund because you left a store without proof of purchase, according to the GP, our fears may be misplaced.
If simply held as one normally would, handling receipts will not cause any health issues. Image: Pexels
'The reality is that the doses in receipts are so small that, if simply held as one normally would, handling receipts will not cause any health issues', she said.
'In the context of BPA in receipts, food and beverage products, we know a small amount may leach out. However, in the vast majority of cases, the volume of BPA exposure is significantly lower than the safety threshold.'
'The general scientific opinion is that there is no health or safety issue at the levels people are exposed to in these situations.'
It feels like the word 'toxic' is regularly being linked to a new product from our day-to-day. Image: Pexels
So we can leave the tongs at home.
What makes something toxic?
Aside from plastics, it feels like the word 'toxic' is regularly being linked to a new product from our day-to-day.
But what makes something toxic? And do we need to avoid everything classed as such?
Even when we're not looking for it, social media is working hard to convince us that the products we use every day are going to harm us. Image: Getty
'A lot of common products, even naturally occurring vitamins, have the potential to be toxic', Sorensen explains, 'the key to toxicity is the dose it takes to create damage or harm.'
'Some things in tiny amounts can be hard for the body to process and break down, leading to tissue damage. Other 'toxic' chemicals are actually readily broken down, meaning huge doses are needed before harm is done.'
Social media and health anxiety
We're deeply informed about more health concerns than anyone outside of the medical field previously could have been, and even when we're not looking for it, social media is working hard to convince us we're at risk of another rare disease, or that the products we use every day are going to harm us.
So it makes sense that health anxiety is now relatively common. Image: Canva
Short social video formats also don't give creators the space to share enough information for us to completely understand the health concepts they're explaining.
So it makes sense that health anxiety is now relatively common.
If you feel like you're constantly worrying about your health, on alert for possible toxins you could be exposed to or concerned that you're missing something, the GP has some advice.
If you are worried, go to the experts. That might be your doctor, or it might also be health advice hotlines. Image: iStock
'Avoid 'researching' on social media and common search engines. Algorithms always feed the 'top' stories, which are usually click bait and 'worst case scenario'', she tells B+S.
'If you are worried, go to the experts. That might be your doctor, or it might also be health advice hotlines.'
Originally published as Are receipts really toxic? We asked a doctor