BPA Found in Popular Pacifiers: What Parents Need to Know

Breaking news: Several well-known pacifier brands have tested positive for BPA (bisphenol A) — including one that was advertised as BPA-free. Out of 19 pacifiers tested, 4 contained measurable amounts of BPA.

As a pacifier safety advocate and member of two international subcommittees for pacifier standards, I want to help parents understand what this really means, without the panic or misinformation.

Let’s break it down.

🧪 What Is BPA and Why Does It Matter?

BPA is a chemical compound used in certain plastics to make them durable and shatter-resistant. Unfortunately, it’s also been linked to hormone disruption, impaired sexual development, and certain cancers.

It’s such a concern that BPA is banned in baby bottles and sippy cups, meaning no amount is legally allowed. That’s how serious regulators consider its effects.

But here’s the shocking part:
👉 Pacifiers are not included in that same ban.
And yet, they’re the one baby product that spends the most time in your baby’s mouth.

🍼 Aren’t Silicone and Rubber Pacifiers BPA-Free?

Yes, and that’s where this gets confusing.

High-quality silicone and natural rubber are inherently BPA-free because BPA simply isn’t part of their manufacturing process.

So, where did the BPA come from in these tests?

We don’t know for sure yet. Possible explanations include:

• A plastic shield that wasn’t BPA-free

• Cross-contamination during manufacturing or shipping

• A transfer issue during testing

Until we know more, it’s premature to point fingers. But it does highlight the lack of oversight in pacifier regulations.

WHO did the testing: dTest, a Czech magazine similar to Consumer Reports that independently tests everyday products like pacifiers, foods, and household goods.

📊 The Results: BPA Levels Detected in Tested Pacifiers

The BPA limit for safety testing is less than 1 microgram per kilogram. Here’s what was found:

• Philips Avent Ultra Air: 2 µg/kg

• Sophie La Girafe Pacifier: 3 µg/kg

• Curaprox Baby: 19 µg/kg

• Temu pacifier (unbranded): 2 µg/kg

Even at low levels, the fact that BPA showed up at all in products meant for newborns is concerning, especially when some were marketed as BPA-free.

⚖️ What Parents Can Take Away

This isn’t a reason to panic, it’s a reason to be aware and informed.

Pacifier testing isn’t currently held to the same standard as bottles, but it should be.
This moment shines a light on what many of us in safety advocacy have been pushing for: stronger testing requirements and more transparency from manufacturers.

The Bottom Line

This news doesn’t mean all pacifiers are unsafe, but it does mean parents deserve better regulation and honesty in the products designed for their babies.

Another article on this from The Guardian

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📚 For parents who want to read the full details and access the study results themselves, you can find the complete report linked here.