{"id":76977,"date":"2026-08-22T07:53:09","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T07:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/76977\/"},"modified":"2026-08-22T07:53:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T07:53:09","slug":"aldi-shoppers-fear-over-controversial-new-security-feature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/76977\/","title":{"rendered":"Aldi shopper’s ‘fear’ over controversial new security feature"},"content":{"rendered":"

Aldi’s new trial requiring customers to scan their receipt before exiting its self-service security gates<\/a> gives me the ick.<\/p>\n

Previously, a proof-of-purchase wasn’t automatically printed, so it annoys me that the German supermarket chain<\/a> could be on the verge of creating a whole new waste stream.<\/p>\n

But there’s a second little problem I’m a bit nervous about confessing, because it may seem silly \u2014 I hate touching receipts.<\/p>\n

The old paper ones were fine, but the modern, glossy paper feels a bit yuck to the touch.<\/p>\n

It could be linked to the thought that it’s been chemically treated.<\/p>\n

My fear could be irrational. It started around 15 years ago, when there was a scare around the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA),<\/a> which at the time was used in everything from baby bottles to thermal paper.<\/p>\n

Most retailers have replaced BPAs with other chemicals in receipts, but that begs one simple question. With what?<\/p>\n

Are BPAs even a problem?<\/p>\n

Research indicates that small amounts of BPA can be absorbed through the skin.<\/a><\/p>\n

Amid growing human health and environmental concerns, the European Union (EU) banned it in food packaging.<\/a><\/p>\n

However, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand concluded<\/a> it does not pose a “significant human health and safety issue at current exposure levels”.<\/p>\n

\"Aldi<\/p>\n

Aldi is trialling new security gates that require customers to scan their receipts to leave.<\/p>\n

(Supplied)<\/p>\n

When I spoke to Oliver Jones, a professor of analytical chemistry at RMIT University<\/a>, he also played down concerns about the chemical.<\/p>\n

“The amount you might get transferred through skin if you’re touching a receipt is going to be minimal, even if you’re a teller and you’re handling them all day,” he said.<\/p>\n

“You’d have to have huge amounts to disrupt the endocrine system, and you’re not going to be exposed to that much.”<\/p>\n

Jones isn’t claiming there is no risk to handling BPA, it’s just that it needs to be put in perspective.<\/p>\n

“The risk is proportionally small compared to other things that you have control over, like drinking too much, not getting enough sleep, or not doing exercise,” he said.<\/p>\n

“If people are worried, they can always put on gloves.”<\/p>\n

He then paused and noted that some people might then have concerns about the chemicals the gloves could contain, particularly if they were plastic.<\/p>\n

My nagging concern about receipts<\/p>\n

The EU has extended its BPA ban to receipts, and major retailers in Australia have voluntarily done the same.<\/p>\n

But my nagging concern is that we don’t know what BPAs were replaced with in supermarket receipts.<\/p>\n

\"Left:<\/p>\n

The constant security monitoring at my local Aldi bothers me a little, but if they broaden the security gate trial, I’ll likely start shopping elsewhere.<\/p>\n

(Yahoo News Australia)<\/p>\n

I like to know what chemicals I’m dealing with so I can make an informed choice about the risk I’m taking.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

There have been similar concerns about microwaves and mobile phones being dangerous, but they’re now generally believed to be safe.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, chemicals like PFAS<\/a> and DDT<\/a> were once thought to be fine, too.<\/p>\n

So I have a natural, and possibly absurd, fear I can’t shake.<\/p>\n

What does Aldi use in its receipts?<\/p>\n

Many companies that stopped using BPA in plastics switched to a very similar chemical, Bisphenol S (BPS) instead. Experts I’ve spoken to say it’s very similar,<\/a> but we know less about it.<\/p>\n

Aldi confirmed its receipts don’t contain BPA or BPS, but wouldn’t divulge what chemicals they do contain.<\/p>\n

And it explained that customers can opt out of printing a receipt and that staff can guide them through the process of leaving without one.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kmart and Bunnings, two companies owned by Wesfarmers Group, generally require customers to show their receipts to staff before leaving the store.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Both have previously confirmed that their receipts are BPA-free, but neither responded to requests for comment asking which chemicals they now contain.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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