Is it safe to boil baby bottles in a plastic sterilizer?
Based on 2 peer-reviewed studiesbaby
Verdict: Avoid
No. Plastic sterilizers heat plastic bottles inside plastic. Double the release.
What's actually in it
Plastic steam sterilizers heat baby bottles to 100°C. The sterilizer walls, tray, and lid are all plastic. The bottles inside are often plastic. It's a steam chamber of plastic inside plastic.
What the research says
A 2025 study in J Agric Food Chem showed polypropylene releases billions of nanoplastics in hot water. A 2025 study found BPA in many baby bottles.
Use a stainless steel pot to boil-sterilize glass baby bottles. Or switch to a UV sterilizer, which doesn't need heat.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Release of Nanoplastics from Polypropylene Food Containers. | J Agric Food Chem | 2025 |
| Extraction of BPA from packaged milk and baby bottles. | Food Chem X | 2025 |
What to use instead
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