Is BPA-Free Plastic Really Safe? What You Need to Know About Everyday Exposure

Last Updated: August 25, 2025 by Michael Kahn. Published: August 25, 2025.

Shopping in local supermarkets and general stores has become a lot more complicated in this day in age. With plastic products being highly popular, used globally, and bought at cheaper costs, plastic products have made their way into our daily lives. 

Although plastic feels like it’s been around a long time, it’s only within the last few decades that its long-term health effects are being seriously considered and studied. With ongoing studies being undertaken, it’s become a common worry for daily consumers to really think about what plastic products are safe to buy and use. 

For general consumers, the presence of BPA in everyday items like water bottles and food containers is unsettling, especially given its links to health issues. As concerns continue to grow, it’s becoming increasingly common, and often overwhelming for people to feel they must educate themselves on complex chemical terms just to make a safe choice. Meanwhile, corporations can exploit this confusion by using vague and misleading labels like “BPA free”, which may not be as safe as these labels suggest they are. 

What is BPA?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used since the 1960s to make certain plastics and resins. It’s most commonly found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. These materials are used in a wide range of consumer goods, including; water bottles and reusable drinking containers, food storage containers, linings of metal food and beverage cans, dental sealants and some medical devices. 

BPA is known to be an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can interfere with the body’s hormone systems. Even at low levels, BPA exposure has been linked to a variety of health concerns. Studies suggest that potential associations with breast and prostate cancer, infertility, heart disease, metabolic disorders, and behavioural issues in children. Because BPA can leach into food and drinks, especially when containers are heated or scratched, scientists and health experts have raised red flags about its widespread use. 

These concerns have led to many products advertising themselves as “BPA free” to combat the growing stigma and consumer fears, but what does it actually mean? This label shows that the product does not contain Bisphenol A. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean the product is free from all potentially harmful chemicals. 

To replace BPA, manufacturers often use structurally similar compounds like Bisphenol S (BPS) or Bisphenol F (BPF). While these alternatives are less studied, emerging research shows they may also disrupt hormones and pose similar health risks. In some cases, these substitutes may even be more potent in their biological effects. 

So, while “BPA free” is a step in the right direction, it doesn’t mean complete safety. Consumers need to understand that the absence of BPA doesn’t mean a product is non-toxic or risk-free.

How to Make the Right Choice

While it may feel overwhelming, there are a few practical steps to reduce exposure to BPA and other harmful chemicals. Some of these include:

• Simply, “BPA-free” labels should be favored when buying items, but approaching products with that label with caution is recommended. 
• Avoiding plastics that are heated is a good tip, as heat increases the likelihood of the chemical leaching. This can occur when microwaving food in plastic containers or washing them in the dishwasher. Instead, using glass or ceramic containers is the safest way to avoid this. 
• Being mindful of recycling codes is an extremely good way to determine what’s safe. Generally, plastics marked with recycling code 3 or 7 may contain BPA or similar compounds; safer codes would be 1,2,4, and 5. 
• Avoiding canned foods is also something to consider, as many canned goods are lined with epoxy resins that may contain BPA. Choosing fresh or frozen foods when possible is a better choice, or looking for canned goods with “BPA-free lining”. 

As awareness of chemical safety in everyday products increases, asking healthcare professionals about specific worries can be helpful. Due to ongoing public fear, professionals within the healthcare system are taking the lead in educating people on healthier lifestyle choices. Many are advancing their knowledge through MSN online programs, which equip nurses with the tools to make a broader impact within public health and environmental health education. 

The Benefits and Limitations

BPA-free plastics offer many advantages, mostly being the reduction of exposure to a chemical that has been studied and linked to hormone disruption and other health risks. The growing demand for BPA-free products has also created greater consumer awareness and has encouraged manufacturers to innovate with safer materials. In some cases, regulatory pressure like the FDA making baby bottles free from BPA plastics has led to a great push within the industry toward more health-conscious designs. 

Despite these benefits, a shift to BPA-free alternatives is not without its drawbacks. Many manufacturers have replaced the compounds with other possibly harmful chemicals that haven’t been studied as extensively. Compounding the issue, a lack of transparency in the chemical composition of many plastic products makes it difficult for consumers to assess safety. Additionally, long-term studies on the health effects of BPA alternatives are still limited, leaving worrisome gaps in our understanding of their true impact. 

While BPA labelling is a step in the right direction, it should be viewed as a part of a broader conversation around chemical safety in consumer goods, not the final word. By staying informed and supporting innovation in safer materials, we can reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals and promote a healthier environment for generations to come.