Receipts at Restaurants: Hidden Risks in a Common Transaction

Imagine you’ve just finished a meal at your favorite Seattle sushi bar, café, or diner. The check comes. You pick up the receipt, glance at it, maybe sign it—and either stash it in your wallet or toss it. It’s a tiny thing, but what if that slip of paper is quietly transferring chemicals into your skin—and potentially into your bloodstream?

What are BPA and BPS?

Bisphenol A (BPA) and its close cousin Bisphenol S (BPS) are chemicals used in “thermal paper”—the glossy receipts printed with heat rather than ink. The thermal printing process requires a “developer” chemical that changes color under heat; historically, BPA has filled that role, but as concerns over its safety have risen, BPS has become a common substitute.

Both BPA and BPS are endocrine disruptors. That means they can interfere with the body’s hormone systems. Various studies link them to reproductive issues, developmental disruptions, metabolic problems, obesity, attention disorders, and more. Pregnant people, infants, children, and workers who handle paper receipts regularly are among those at greatest risk.

How Does the Transfer Happen?

Receipt paper doesn’t “lock” these chemicals in—they’re applied as a coating and are loosely bound. That means:

  • When you touch them, chemicals can rub off onto your skin.
  • Moisture (from sweat, lotion, or hand sanitizer) can facilitate more transfer and increase absorption.
  • Once on skin, some amount may be absorbed directly through the skin barrier into the bloodstream.

In one study, handling a receipt for ten seconds transferred measurable amounts of BPA; rubbing or more aggressive contact transferred even more.

What about Restaurants?

Restaurants are a particular concern because:

  • Customers may touch the receipt shortly after handling food, increasing risks of accidental ingestion.
  • Workers—servers, cashiers, bussers—handle dozens or hundreds of receipts a day. Their cumulative exposure is much higher.
  • Some chains still use BPA or BPS thermal paper, depending on their supplier and whether they’ve moved to safer alternatives.

Thus, every time you get that printed check—or a printed credit-card slip—there is some risk, especially if you handle the paper and then touch your face, food, or don’t wash your hands soon after.

What is the Situation in Washington / Seattle?

Washington State has already moved forward with regulations addressing this issue:

  • There is a thermal receipt replacement program in Washington. As of January 1, 2026, thermal paper receipts containing bisphenols (including BPA and BPS) will be prohibited for sale, manufacture, or distribution in Washington.
  • The state is offering reimbursement programs for businesses to switch receipt paper or Point-Of-Sale (POS) devices to non-bisphenol alternatives. This helps small businesses that might otherwise struggle with the cost of switching.
  • Local investigations have confirmed that many stores (including groceries, chain retailers, and restaurants) still use receipt paper with bisphenols. Some have moved proactively to safer alternatives; many are in transition.

Local Businesses Leading the Way: Unity Foods, LLC

One company making a difference is Unity Foods, LLC, a regional food distributor serving the Pacific Northwest. In addition to supplying high-quality ingredients to restaurants, Unity Foods now offers BPA-free receipt paper to its customers. By providing access to safer, eco-friendly alternatives, Unity Foods is helping restaurant owners pave the way for BPA-free receipts at many of your local favorite dining spots.

This proactive approach not only prepares restaurants for Washington’s upcoming 2026 ban but also helps protect customers and employees from harmful chemical exposure—showing that small business suppliers can lead the way in public health innovation.

What Can Restaurants and Patrons Do?

For Restaurant Owners / Managers

  • Switch to non-bisphenol thermal paper (Unity Foods and other suppliers now offer these options).
  • Offer digital receipts (emailed or SMS), or give customers the option to skip a paper receipt altogether.
  • Train staff on handling practices—e.g. folding receipts so the printed side is inward, minimizing the customers’ handling of the paper.
  • Encourage frequent handwashing for staff who handle receipts often.

For Patrons / Diners

  • Whenever possible, ask for no paper receipt—or use the restaurant’s app or email receipt option.
  • If you do get a paper receipt, avoid touching the printed side; handle it from the back or folded so the printing is inside.
  • Wash your hands after handling receipts, especially before eating or touching your face.
  • Avoid using hand sanitizer immediately before or after handling receipts, as some studies suggest it increases absorption rates.

Why This Matters for Business in Seattle

  • Public health: Reducing exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals benefits customers, workers, and the community.
  • Consumer trust: Restaurants adopting safer practices may gain a competitive advantage as customers grow more aware of these risks.
  • Regulatory compliance: With the state ban coming in 2026, early action avoids last-minute costs and shows leadership.

Conclusion

A simple restaurant receipt may seem trivial, but it is a tangible route for exposure to chemicals with proven health risks. For Seattle’s restaurants, working with suppliers like Unity Foods, LLC to eliminate BPA and BPS receipt paper isn’t just about compliance—it’s about health, customer trust, and future-ready business practices.