Do plastic toys contain hidden chemicals that aren't on the label?

What's actually in it

The label on a plastic toy tells you almost nothing about what is inside it. Manufacturers list the type of plastic (like PE or PP) but not the dozens of chemical additives mixed in during production. When the plastic comes from recycled sources, it can carry leftover chemicals from whatever it was before, things like flame retardants, plasticizers, and industrial additives that were never meant to end up in a child's toy.

What the research says

A 2026 study using GC-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry performed a non-targeted analysis of volatile chemicals coming off plastic toys. Non-targeted means the researchers were not just looking for known hazards. They were scanning for anything and everything the plastic released. They found numerous unknown substances that are not regulated and not listed on any label.

A separate 2026 study measured phthalates, non-phthalate plasticizers, and organophosphates in recycled plastic pellets, the raw material used to make many toys. The pellets contained a cocktail of these chemicals, confirming that recycled plastic carries its chemical history into whatever new product it becomes.

Research has also shown that microplastic particles shed from these toys can carry PFAS and bisphenols on their surface. A 2026 study found that when immune cells were exposed to microplastic particles containing these chemicals, they triggered inflammatory responses. Babies and toddlers who chew on plastic toys are putting these particles directly into their mouths.

The bottom line

Choose toys made from solid wood, natural rubber, or food-grade silicone when possible. If you buy plastic toys, avoid those made from recycled plastic for babies and toddlers who mouth everything. Look for toys tested to stricter European standards (EN 71) rather than just basic US labeling requirements.