Pacifiers are among the first objects that a newborn uses and are often a real daily companion for many months. Precisely for this reason they must be safe in every respect, both from a chemical and mechanical point of view. But is it always like this? As part of the European project ToxFree Life for All, the Czech consumer organization dTest decided to analyze the quality and safety of some pacifiers on the market.
The researchers purchased 19 pacifiers in the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Hungary, plus two other models ordered online on Temu. The selection included products from well-known companies and private brands from pharmacy chains, with both natural rubber and silicone teats.
The test was divided into two parts:
The search for unwanted substances simulated the practical use of pacifiers. A sample of the pacifiers was then infused into the artificial saliva and the quantity of bisphenols possibly released into the solution was analyzed.
Pacifiers with BPA
The researchers’ attention was focused on bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor capable of mimicking the action of estrogen in the body. By analyzing 15 molecules from the bisphenol group, the laboratory detected only one: BPA. The substance emerged in 4 pacifiers of different brands and price ranges, with varying levels: in some products the concentration was within the legal limits, while in others it exceeded the threshold set by the European Union for pacifiers.
But the most shocking thing was that among the contaminated pacifiers there were also products sold as “BPA-free”, which demonstrated that the substance can be released despite the manufacturer’s declarations.
The pacifiers in which the presence of BPA was detected are:
BPA is already regulated in Europe, with clear bans for some products: since 2011 it has been banned in baby bottles and since 2018 the ban has been extended to food containers intended for children under three years of age. For toys and other products intended for children, however, there are migration limits: for example, the EN 1400 standard sets a limit of 10 µg/l of BPA in pacifiers, while the European Directive on the safety of toys establishes a higher limit, 40 µg/l, also applicable to pacifiers.
These discrepancies make the regulation ambiguous: there is no uniform and binding ban for all pacifiers at EU level, although some countries, such as France and Austria, have chosen to explicitly ban BPA in the production of pacifiers.
The response of companies
The companies involved reacted differently to the discovery of BPA in their products. Curaden, which makes the Curaprox range, said the result for the Baby Grow with Love dummy was a surprise. After conducting internal tests that confirmed the presence of the substance, the company decided to immediately withdraw the affected batches from the market and offer refunds to customers.
Vulli, producer of Sophie la Girafe, specified that the pacifiers have not been present in the catalog for some time and that the images still visible on the site do not correspond to products currently on sale. The company also stated that all products undergo exclusive testing for BPA, carried out by accredited laboratories, and that the amount detected in the tests (3 µg/kg) is well below European regulatory limits and therefore considered insignificant.
Philips Avent has confirmed that the safety of its pacifiers is a top priority, explaining that internal and independent testing conducted with DEKRA confirmed the absence of detectable BPA in the products, including the tested sample.
Finally, Foshan City Saidah, the manufacturer of the pacifiers sold on Temu, did not respond to requests for comment.
What is BPA and why is it dangerous
Bisphenol A is a chemical used in the production of plastics and resins. Its structure is similar to that of the hormone estrogen, so it can act as an endocrine disruptor. Scientific studies have linked it to:
Children represent the most vulnerable group, their organs are in fact still in the development phase and exposure even to very low doses can have long-term effects. In newborns, who are particularly sensitive, exposure to even small quantities can have significant consequences.
The fact that even products labeled as “BPA free” can release this substance confirms the need for stricter controls, uniform and more stringent European rules and greater transparency on the part of producers.
Sources: dTest / The Guardian
