Tests Find Reusable Grocery Bags Contain Lead

Monday, 15 November 2010 | by Pat's Picks

When you buy a reusable bag from the grocery store, be sure the design is as plain as possible. During an investigation of several national retailers the Tampa Tribune found that many of the bags sold by chains like Target and Walmart contain lead in them. And those that were more elaborately designed had the highest levels.

The Tribune released the results of its study on Friday with the news that level of lead found in bags sold at Target, Winn-Dixie, Publix, Sweetbay and Walmart all exceeded the amount that the FDA says is permissible for consumers to interact with. All the bags were made in China and don’t come with ingredient labels. Today, the Tribune reports that the news has prompted New York Senator Charles Schumer to start a federal investigation into the problem.

More information about how the bags were tested by the Tribune

Some options for concerned consumers

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