Sofia Martinez
Plastic food containers, wraps, and commercial packaging on food products from candies to meats may contain BPA, a chemical used to harden plastic. While the FDA allows the use of BPA in the manufacturing process, many consumers are wary of it. In 2019, Dollar Tree pledged to phase out BPA and several other toxic chemicals found in items sold at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar. However, as of January 2021, there was no update on Dollar Tree's progress. Tests in 2021 revealed that 53% of the products screened at Dollar Tree contained one or more chemicals of concern, including BPA-based epoxy and PVC can body coatings. Given the potential presence of BPA in Dollar Tree products, it is important for consumers to be cautious and seek out BPA-free alternatives when possible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic products containing BPA | Plastic food containers, canned food items, plastic toys, plastic wraps, plastic commercial packaging, and plastic baby toys |
| Dollar Tree's pledge to phase out BPA | In 2019, Dollar Tree pledged to phase out BPA and other toxic chemicals. However, as of January 2021, there was no update on their progress. |
| Other toxic chemicals found in Dollar Tree products | PVC, phthalates, lead, arsenic, styrene, bromine, chlorine, and formaldehyde |
| Risks associated with BPA and other chemicals | Exposure to BPA can occur through food containers, potentially causing reproductive problems and other health issues. Other chemicals like PVC and phthalates are also linked to health risks, especially for children. |
| Recommendations for consumers | Experts recommend seeking BPA-free alternatives and avoiding certain products at dollar stores, including toys, knives, electrical items, batteries, and personal care products. |
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What You'll Learn
Dollar Tree pledged to phase out BPA in 2019
In 2019, Dollar Tree pledged to phase out Bisphenol A (BPA) and several other toxic chemicals in its products. BPA is a chemical used to harden plastic, and many consumers are wary of it, according to an FDA report.
Dollar Tree, one of America's largest dollar store chains, joined the Chemical Footprint Project (CFP) to help phase out heavy metals and harmful chemicals like BPA from their products. The CFP is a program that will measure the extent of harmful products in Dollar Tree's inventory and calculate a baseline score.
Dollar Tree's participation in the CFP is a step in the right direction, but it is not a pledge to remove plastic packaging entirely. The company has not provided any updates on its progress since its 2019 pledge.
The two biggest dollar store chains, Dollar General and Dollar Tree, have adopted chemical policies that ban certain toxic chemicals, including lead and BPA in children's products. However, it is unclear how many of their products still contain BPA, as Dollar Tree has not released any data or completed a survey for the CFP as of 2021.
While Dollar Tree has made a positive step by pledging to phase out BPA, it is important for consumers to continue seeking out BPA-free products from manufacturers who are increasingly creating them.
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Plastic food containers may contain BPA
In 2019, Dollar Tree pledged to phase out BPA and several other toxic chemicals present in items sold at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar. However, as of January 2021, there was no news on Dollar Tree's progress in this regard.
It is important to note that plastic food containers from dollar stores may also contain pthalates, which cause reproductive problems in lab animals and are found in high levels in the U.S. population, especially in women. Over 30% of some dollar store products tested had higher levels than are recommended in products used for children. They may also contain bisphenol-S (BPS), which might be just as dangerous as BPA, but hasn't been researched as extensively.
Additionally, other toxic items have been found in dollar stores, such as personal care products that may contain formaldehyde, arsenic, styrene, and bromine. Some plastic toys, vinyl products, and electronic accessories have also tested high in chlorine, indicating the presence of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a dangerous plastic that can leach hazardous chemicals like phthalates.
Given the potential presence of BPA and other toxic chemicals in plastic food containers from dollar stores, it is recommended to seek out BPA-free alternatives or use other types of containers for storing food.
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Canned food items sold at Dollar Tree contained BPA-based epoxy
In 2021, tests revealed that several canned food items sold at Dollar Tree contained toxic interior coatings, including BPA-based epoxy and PVC can body coatings. The Campaign for Healthier Solutions, a coalition led by the Environmental Justice Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform (EJHA) and Coming Clean, found that 53% of the 226 consumer and food products tested at Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollar General, 99 Cents Only, and Five Below contained one or more chemicals of concern.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used to harden plastic. While the FDA currently allows manufacturers of plastic food containers and other plastic products that come into contact with food to use BPA in the manufacturing process, many consumers are wary of its presence. BPA exposure has been linked to a range of health issues, including reproductive problems, and it is advised to avoid using plastic food containers that may contain BPA.
In response to concerns about the presence of BPA and other toxic chemicals in their products, Dollar Tree pledged in 2019 to phase out BPA and several other toxic chemicals from their private-brand children's products. Effective in 2020, the company prohibited the intentional addition of lead, asbestos, and BPA in these items. However, as of January 2021, there was no update on Dollar Tree's progress in phasing out these chemicals.
In June 2021, Dollar Tree updated its priority chemical policy, committing to eliminate the use of PVC in all private-brand children’s products and phthalates from private-brand food and beverage products. While this is a positive step, some advocates argue that Dollar Tree needs to expand its list of restricted chemicals and apply these restrictions to a wider range of products to ensure the safety of consumers.
When shopping at dollar stores, it is important to be cautious and aware of the potential presence of toxic chemicals in certain products. While Dollar Tree has made some efforts to address the issue of toxic chemicals, it is always a good idea to seek out BPA-free and toxic-free alternatives when possible.
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Dollar Tree banned BPA in private-brand children's products in 2020
In June 2021, Dollar Tree updated its priority chemical policy, committing to eliminating the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in all private-brand children's products and phthalates from private-brand food and beverage products. Since 2020, the company has prohibited the intentional addition of lead, asbestos, and bisphenol A (BPA) in private-brand children's products.
This move was in response to a product screening report by the Campaign for Healthier Solutions and the Ecology Center Healthy Stuff lab, which found hazardous chemicals in children's products sold by leading dollar store brands in the US. The report revealed the presence of lead, phthalates, toxic flame retardant chemicals, and PVC components in colorfully-labeled children's products.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals like phthalates and lead can negatively impact reproductive and cognitive development, and childhood phthalate exposure is associated with a higher incidence of childhood cancer.
While Dollar Tree is leading the discount retail sector in this regard, some dollar store chains have shown little interest in adopting safer chemical policies. Dollar Tree's progress in eliminating BPA and other toxic chemicals from its products has been unclear, with no updates as of January 2021.
It is important to note that this policy only applies to Dollar Tree's private-label products, and other dollar stores' products may still contain hazardous chemicals. Consumers should be cautious when purchasing certain products from dollar stores, especially those intended for children, and seek out BPA-free alternatives when possible.
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Plastic alternatives to BPA may be just as dangerous
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used to harden plastic. Over the past decade, concerns about its health effects have forced food and beverage companies to abandon its use in many household items. In its place, they've turned to more than 50 "BPA-free" alternatives. However, recent studies suggest that some of these substitutes may carry the same health risks as BPA, particularly in reproductive cells.
In 2003, while conducting mouse studies unrelated to BPA, Patricia Hunt, a reproductive biologist at Washington State University in Pullman, and her colleagues found that BPA was leaching out of plastic cages housing female mice. This resulted in an increase in chromosomal abnormalities in the lab animals and their offspring. Hunt and her colleagues then decided to test the effects of BPA alternatives directly. They fed pregnant female mice low doses of various BPA alternatives and found that exposure to these chemicals produced more protein markers of genetic damage during meiosis. This type of genetic damage has been linked to miscarriage in females and reduced sperm count in males.
The complexities of BPA and its alternatives make it challenging to study their effects conclusively. BPA interferes with various hormone receptors in the body, including estrogen, thyroid, and androgen receptors. The effects of BPA can vary depending on the part of the body and the timing of exposure. For example, researchers have only been able to specify how BPA acts in the ovary at specific times rather than understanding its overall behaviour in the organ. Hunt describes BPA as a "little chameleon of a chemical" due to its variable and interactive nature.
Furthermore, the structural similarities between BPA and its alternatives suggest that consumers should be cautious about products labelled as "BPA-free". Many of these alternatives are disruptors and can cause similar toxic effects on the human body. For example, cashiers who handle "pressure-printed" paper receipts, which often include BPA-free alternative chemicals, are exposed to significant doses of these toxic compounds daily. As a result, they are at an increased risk for various health conditions, including asthma and diabetes.
While Dollar Tree pledged in 2019 to phase out BPA and other toxic chemicals from its products, there was no update on their progress as of January 2021. Consumers are advised to seek out BPA-free products, but the lack of comprehensive studies on BPA alternatives makes it challenging to determine their safety.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2019, Dollar Tree pledged to phase out BPA and several other toxic chemicals that are present in items sold at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar. However, as of January 2021, there was no news on Dollar Tree's progress in this regard. Therefore, it is not confirmed if Dollar Tree plastic is BPA-free.
BPA, or bisphenol-A, is a chemical used to harden plastic. It is often found in plastic food containers and other plastic products that come into contact with food. While the FDA currently allows the use of BPA in the manufacturing process, many consumers are wary of its potential health risks.
Yes, manufacturers are creating more and more BPA-free products. Mayo Clinic recommends seeking out these alternatives. You may also want to consider using glass or stainless steel containers as safer alternatives to plastic.
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