Are BPA-free alternatives in plastic toys actually safer?

What's actually in it

BPA (bisphenol A) is being phased out of toys under pressure from regulators. The replacements: bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F (BPF), and other bisphenol variants. These chemicals are structurally similar to BPA. They do the same job (harden plastic) and have a similar ability to mimic estrogen in the body.

Children chew on toys, handle them constantly, and put their fingers in their mouths. Whatever is on the surface of a toy transfers directly to a child's body.

What the research says

A 2026 study in J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol used USEtox modeling to compare children's exposure to BPA and its alternatives in toys. The analysis found that children's cumulative exposure to bisphenol alternatives was comparable to their BPA exposure. Several alternatives showed health impact scores similar to BPA, meaning the switch from BPA to alternatives didn't meaningfully reduce the total toxic burden.

The safest approach is to avoid hard plastic toys that require any plasticizer. Natural rubber, untreated wood, and organic cotton toys don't use bisphenol chemistry at all.

For soft items like stuffed animals and comfort objects, organic cotton baby gear contains no plastic and no bisphenols.