Can children's toys and products leach bisphenols when mouthed or chewed?

What's actually in it

Children's products like pacifier clips, teethers, sippy cups, and plastic toys are often made from polycarbonate plastic or coated with materials that contain bisphenol A (BPA) or its replacements such as BPS and BPF. Young children constantly put these items in their mouths, and saliva is remarkably good at pulling chemicals out of plastic.

While many countries have banned BPA from baby bottles, the ban often doesn't cover other children's products like toys, plates, or cups. And "BPA-free" labels don't mean bisphenol-free. They usually mean the product uses a different bisphenol instead.

What the research says

A 2025 study in Chemosphere tested children's products sold on the Swiss market by simulating what happens when a child mouths them. The researchers soaked products in artificial saliva at body temperature and measured how much bisphenol migrated out over time.

Multiple products released detectable levels of BPA, BPS, and BPF. Some items exceeded the European Food Safety Authority's updated tolerable daily intake for BPA, which was dramatically lowered in 2023 to 0.2 nanograms per kilogram of body weight per day. That's 20,000 times stricter than the old limit.

The products that leached the most were those made from harder plastics and those with visible wear or scratches. Newer products leached less than worn ones, suggesting that damage to the surface speeds up chemical release.

Choose silicone or natural rubber teethers, stainless steel sippy cups, and wooden toys when possible. Replace any plastic children's products that are scratched, cloudy, or showing wear.