Lead in shopping bags?

Scrape off the trendiness and a popular "green" choice is actually "gray" underneath; some reusable shopping bags contain lead.

The Tampa Tribune commissioned an independent lab to test the reusable shopping bags of the plasticy, painted-on graphic variety, sold by Winn-Dixie and Publix supermarkets.


In the first batch of tests, Winn-Dixie's bag had lead levels at 121 parts per million and Publix had 87. In the second, there were 117 and 194 parts per million, respectively.

Right now the CPSC allows 300 parts per million of lead in children's products, but that level will fall to 100 in August.

Publix has pledged to contact the supplier and ask them to reduce the lead levels. Winn-Dixie told the Tampa Bay Tribune that the results showed the bags were "safe to use and reuse as intended." Both supermarkets said they would give refunds to anyone concerned about the bags.