Festive Shopping Alert: Why Nigerians Should Think Twice Before Touching Receipts

As the festive season approaches and shopping lists grow longer by the day, Nigerians are being urged to pay closer attention—not just to prices, but to the receipts they collect.

Dr. Sabine Donnai, a longevity expert and founder of the American health clinic Viavi, has warned that paper receipts can carry chemicals harmful to human health. Speaking on the Zoe Science and Nutrition podcast, she revealed that many receipts contain Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical that can disrupt hormones, lower testosterone, and potentially affect fertility.

“[Receipts are] a big source of BPA exposure. People who handle them frequently often show low testosterone levels and signs of infertility,” Dr. Donnai explained.

While this research originates in the U.S., the warning is relevant for Nigeria, where receipts are widely handled in markets, malls, and supermarkets during peak shopping periods. Whether you’re buying groceries in Lagos or electronics in Abuja, handling receipts—especially repeatedly—could expose you to similar risks.

What Nigerians Should Know This Festive Season

1. Ask only when necessary: If you don’t need a receipt, politely decline. This is particularly useful when making small purchases at local markets or retail shops.

2. Minimize skin contact: For those working at tills, or handling receipts daily, experts recommend wearing nitrile or latex-free gloves.

3. Hand gels aren’t always safe: Using hand sanitizer or cream before handling receipts can increase BPA absorption by up to 150 times.

4. Check your receipts: Some stores may still use older receipts with harmful chemicals. When possible, opt for digital receipts, which are safer and easier to track for budgeting purposes.

5. Festive spending tip: With Nigerian shoppers often carrying cash and running between multiple outlets during the holidays, keep receipts in wallets or sealed envelopes instead of bare pockets, and wash hands thoroughly afterward.

While BPA has been banned in some countries and replaced with BPS, which may pose similar risks, experts stress that moderation and caution are key. Handling a receipt once in a while may not be harmful, but during the festive rush, when transactions multiply, awareness is crucial.

“I’ll be the first to say, don’t touch the receipt if you don’t need it. But if you handle them daily, protect yourself,” Dr. Donnai advised.

As Nigerians gear up for a season of gift-buying, feasts, and bustling markets, this is a timely reminder: check your receipts, handle with care, and think twice before touching every slip that comes your way.