kitchen3 min read
A Phthalate in Toys Is Causing Fatty Liver Before Birth
NonToxCo Research
Science & Safety Team · 4/8/2026
Babies exposed to DINP (a phthalate found in toys and food packaging) before birth develop fatty liver.
Prenatal Phthalate Exposure Damages the Liver
A 2026 study in Toxicol Appl Pharmacol found that prenatal DINP (diisononyl phthalate) exposure induced hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) and identified the underlying mechanism. DINP disrupts fat metabolism in the fetal liver, causing fat to accumulate before the baby is even born.
DINP is used as a plasticizer in toys, food packaging, and medical devices. It replaced DEHP in many products but is proving to have its own toxicity.
What You Can Do
Avoid soft plastic toys. Don't heat food in plastic. Choose glass containers. Browse non-toxic kitchen alternatives for phthalate-free food prep.