Are stainless steel sippy cups safer than plastic?
Yes. Stainless steel doesn't leach BPA or microplastics and handles dishwasher cycles without breaking down.
What's actually in it
Stainless steel sippy cups use food-grade 18/8 steel for the cup body, with a small amount of silicone for the valve or straw. No BPA, no phthalates, no microplastics.
The small silicone valve or spout can still release trace siloxanes, but the overall chemical load is a fraction of a plastic cup.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Food Chem X found BPA in most tested baby bottles, including "BPA-free" ones (which used BPS or BPF). A 2025 study documented bisphenol migration from plastic kids' products.
Look for sippy cups with a stainless steel body, platinum-grade silicone spout, and minimal plastic parts. Glass versions also exist for older toddlers who can handle them.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Extraction of BPA from packaged milk and baby bottles. | Food Chem X | 2025 |
| Assessing bisphenols migration from children's products. | Chemosphere | 2025 |
What to use instead
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