FDA Opens Investigation Into Reusable Grocery Bags

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has opened an official probe into reusable grocery bags, following a Tampa Tribune report that found some highly decorated bags contained elevated levels of lead.

Some of the most decorated bags showed levels of lead that alarmed health advocates and could require special handling before ultimately being thrown out and put into landfills. Generally, plainer bags with no illustrations had almost no lead.

This week, officials from the FDA's food safety group started gathering information on tests of reusable grocery bags. And FDA spokespeople confirmed they're looking into the matter in response to a request from U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York. Schumer was among several politicians who raised alarm bells after the Tribune reported on the issue of lead in bags.

Also, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor called on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to investigate the issue, and has called for hearings in the House of Representatives. Lead is considered a toxin, and can cause learning disabilities in children and fertility problems in adults.

FDA officials noted that they've looked into lead in consumer products before, and in July 2006 warned manufacturers and retailers that lead was showing up in children's lunchboxes that could contaminate food inside.

"By contrast there are not enough details yet available about the analysis performed on these shopping bags to determine whether there is any risk of food contamination," FDA spokesman Douglas Karas said. If substances used to color the outside of bags contained lead, Karas said there was "little to no likelihood" of migrating to food inside. Nevertheless, the FDA is starting to seek out more information, Karas said.

Tribune tests found elevated levels of lead in bags at Publix and Winn-Dixie. Following the Tribune reports, Winn-Dixie stopped selling any of their reusable bags, and pulled existing bags from the shelf as a precaution. (Other reusable bags such as hot/cold pack bags are still on sale.)

Publix officials say their bags comply with current federal laws, but are happy to offer refunds to customers with concerns.

Such bags have become highly popular among eco-minded customers who want to avoid using disposable plastic bags at the grocery store. And stores have started promoting them heavily, both with elaborate artwork, and by handing out bags as part of charitable drives.

Not all bags were created equal, lab reports suggest.

The most elaborately decorated bags were the ones that had the highest concentrations of lead, including some bags with a slick coating that covered the entire surface of the bag.

Relatively plain bags from Target, Walmart and Sweetbay had such low levels of lead that the chemical was nearly undetectable.