Just because a sippy cup or training cup is labeled 'BPA-free' doesn't mean it's safe for your child. Manufacturers often replace banned Bisphenol A (BPA) with chemically similar compounds like BPS (Bisphenol S) and BPF (Bisphenol F), which research suggests may disrupt hormones and brain development just as much as the original chemical.

What Happened to BPA, and Why Does It Matter?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups in 2012 after mounting evidence showed the chemical mimics estrogen and interferes with normal development in fetuses, infants, and young children. BPA is an endocrine disruptor, meaning it binds to hormone receptors in the body and disrupts the normal development of cells and organs. This is especially concerning during early childhood, when the body's systems are still forming.

The scope of BPA exposure is staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 92% of Americans aged 6 and older have detectable levels of BPA in their bodies. Infants face exposure through multiple pathways, including dust, water pipes, and maternal transmission during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In response to these risks, the FDA expanded its ban to include infant formula packaging.

"Exposure during early development is of particular concern, and BPA can cross the placenta," explained Patricia Hunt, a reproductive biologist at Washington State University.

Patricia Hunt, Reproductive Biologist, Washington State University

Are BPA Replacements Actually Safer?

When the FDA banned BPA from baby products, manufacturers didn't eliminate the problem; they simply swapped one chemical for another. Today, over 200 different bisphenol compounds exist, and many are used as BPA replacements in plastics marketed as "safe." The most common substitutes are BPS and BPF, but emerging research suggests these alternatives may carry their own health risks.

Studies show that BPS and BPF can disrupt the endocrine system at extremely low concentrations. BPS, in particular, has been found to disrupt cellular functions at concentrations as low as one part per trillion, a level so small it's difficult for most people to visualize. Research has linked exposure to these chemicals to metabolic disorders, asthma, birth defects, reduced sperm counts in males, and lower egg quality in females.

Some evidence suggests BPA alternatives may be even more harmful than the original chemical. In studies using zebrafish, BPS caused 240% neuronal growth compared to BPA's 170%, suggesting a potentially greater impact on brain development. In female rats, both BPA and BPS disrupted estrogen receptors and calcium channels, causing heart arrhythmias.

"'BPA-free' is an incredibly misleading label. It usually means one bisphenol has been swapped for another, and there are more than 200 of them. Some may be just as harmful, or even worse," stated Bernard Robaire, James McGill Professor at McGill University.

Bernard Robaire, James McGill Professor, McGill University

What Does the Latest Research Show About Plastic Cups and Sippy Cups?

A 2014 study tested 455 plastic products and discovered that nearly all of them leached estrogenic chemicals, regardless of their "BPA-free" labels. This means that even plastic baby bottles, sippy cups, and food containers marketed as "safe" could still expose infants to hormone-disrupting chemicals. The leaching problem is made worse by heat, scratches, and contact with fatty or acidic liquids like juice or milk.

More recent testing in October 2025 examined nine popular baby bottle brands, including Boon, Comotomo, and Philips Avent. While these bottles tested negative for BPA, lead, and phthalates, experts cautioned that they might still release microplastics when heated or contain untested bisphenol substitutes not yet on researchers' radar.

Even products labeled as "BPA-free" may still pose risks. A study published in January 2026 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research tested seven pacifiers from Germany, China, and India, and the findings were alarming. BPA was detected in every pacifier component tested, with total BPA release per pacifier ranging from 33 to 26,536 nanograms. Most shocking: the pacifier with the highest BPA migration (26,536 nanograms) was labeled as "BPA-free." All pacifiers tested exceeded the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) 2023 guidelines for tolerable daily BPA intake, meaning babies using these products are exposed to levels European regulators now deem harmful.

How to Reduce Your Child's Exposure to Harmful Chemicals in Drinkware

• Choose Alternative Materials: Glass, silicone, and stainless steel are non-reactive and do not leach hormone-disrupting chemicals. Glass is durable and completely inert, though it can break; silicone is flexible, antibacterial, and heat-resistant; stainless steel is durable and chemical-free.
• Avoid Heating Plastic: Never heat plastic bottles or sippy cups in the microwave or with hot liquids, as heat accelerates chemical leaching into beverages and food.
• Replace Worn Plastic Items Regularly: Scratches and wear on plastic cups increase the surface area from which chemicals can leach, so replace damaged items promptly rather than continuing to use them.
• Limit Fatty and Acidic Liquids in Plastic: If you must use plastic cups, avoid storing fatty or acidic liquids like milk, juice, or oil in them, as these substances increase chemical migration from the plastic.

The takeaway is clear: "BPA-free" does not automatically mean safe. Parents concerned about chemical exposure should prioritize glass, silicone, or stainless steel drinkware whenever possible, and be cautious about marketing claims that suggest plastic products are risk-free.