Do BPA-free plastic toys still release chemicals when kids chew on them?

What's in the toy

When manufacturers removed BPA from children's toys, they replaced it with other bisphenol chemicals like BPS, BPF, and BPAF. These substitutes are structurally similar to BPA, and early research suggests they may carry similar risks. The "BPA-free" label gives parents a false sense of safety.

Young children mouth and chew on plastic toys constantly. Saliva, warmth, and repetitive biting can pull chemicals out of the plastic and directly into a child's body.

What the research says

A 2026 study tested BPA alternatives used in children's products and found that many of them have endocrine-disrupting properties similar to or even stronger than BPA itself. The "safe" replacements are not necessarily safer.

The study found that these substitute chemicals can leach from plastic under normal use conditions, including the kind of mouthing and chewing that toddlers do. Exposure levels were high enough to raise concern about hormonal effects during early development.

How to protect your child

Choose toys made from untreated wood, natural rubber, or silicone instead of hard plastic. If you buy plastic toys, look for products tested by independent labs, not just the "BPA-free" marketing label. Limit how long infants and toddlers mouth on any plastic toy.