Banned in the manufacture of plastic baby bottles since 2012 and identified as a substance of very high concern by the European Court of Justice in 2021, Bisphenol A remains a controversial subject. Still far too prevalent in daily life, BPA—as it’s called—is nevertheless one of the confirmed endocrine disruptors. In response to this issue, Élhée has long chosen medical-grade silicone for its bottles, nipples, and now, its training cups. A healthy and safe material, free from all toxic substances, especially endocrine disruptors.
CONTENTS:
- Endocrine disruptors: what are they and what are their effects?
- The importance of protecting babies
- Trust and peace of mind: Élhée’s purpose
- The medical-grade silicone baby bottle: 100% clean and free from toxic materials
- Élhée: love and innovation
Endocrine disruptors: what are they and what are their effects?
According to ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety), endocrine disruptors (EDs) are defined as: “substances that disrupt the hormonal functioning of living organisms and thus cause adverse effects on the health of humans or living beings in the environment.”
Alongside bisphenols, known for their presence in plastic used to make bottles, there are, among others, phthalates and parabens. Pesticides and preservatives are also listed among endocrine disruptors.
How do endocrine disruptors work?
Because in their structure, endocrine disruptors resemble hormones, they can mimic the behavior of real hormones and thereby confuse the message. Scientists refer to this as a mimetic or agonist effect.
EDs also work by attaching to hormonal receptors, blocking communication. This is called a blocking or antagonist effect.
More broadly, endocrine disruptors disrupt the proper function of hormones in the body. EDs can affect all endocrine functions, which regulate growth, reproduction, sleep, mood, as well as metabolism.
Understanding and evaluating health risks
To better understand endocrine disruptors and the health risks they cause, different studies take several elements into account.
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Risk of exposure: The level of evidence is highly variable from one substance to another.
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Exposure dose: Some EDs (like BPA and phthalate) show greater effects at low doses.
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Exposure window: The critical window of exposure to endocrine disruptors ranges from the prenatal period, through early childhood, up to adolescence.
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Cocktail effect: The long-term effects of exposure to multiple chemical substances are still poorly understood.
- Latency period: The effects of endocrine disruptors may take one or several years to manifest. Researchers also recognize the possibility of transgenerational transmission.
Together, these factors create a complexity that makes the effects of endocrine disruptors difficult to evaluate and limiting exposure to them, urgent.
Endocrine disruptors are everywhere
Bisphenol A is banned in baby bottle plastics, yet it is still found in food plastics or inside certain canned goods. To avoid them as much as possible, pay attention to the following:
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Food plastics and inside certain canned goods, as well as, for example, frozen meal trays—which it’s better not to use for reheating,
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to certain toys that contain phthalates used to make plastics more flexible,
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shampoos and other cosmetic creams, which may contain parabens,
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cash register receipts, household cleaners…
In short, the main points of exposure to endocrine disruptors are water, food, industrial products, and crop protection products. The key response? Whenever possible, choose natural and minimally processed products.
The importance of protecting babies
Endocrine disruptors are therefore omnipresent. When it comes to protection, the priority should be focused mainly on three major stages of life:
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Pregnancy,
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for children under 3 years old,
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at puberty.
If you are pregnant, prioritize as much as possible a natural and organic diet (to avoid pesticides, preservatives, and dyes) and cut back on using plastic containers, especially for reheating food or meals. Also, try to use natural cleaning products (baking soda, white vinegar, etc.) and ventilate your home as much as possible to renew the air.
After birth, continue these efforts with a postpartum diet that’s as healthy as possible (especially if you’re breastfeeding your baby). Also, be wary of textiles, which are frequently treated to be waterproof, stain-resistant, and flame-retardant. When it comes to toys and furniture, avoid plastics whenever possible in favor of natural materials like wood. Lastly, limit the number of hygiene products used and choose organic or DIY options (the shorter the ingredient lists, the better).
For teenagers, similar recommendations apply: limit consumption of processed foods (prepared meals, pastries, fast food...), wash clothes before wearing them, and pay attention to the use of cosmetics (shower gel, deodorant, hair products, or makeup), which often contain EDs.
From birth, and even before, babies can therefore be regularly exposed to all sorts of endocrine disruptors. All the more reason to adopt the best habits as early as possible and choose the healthiest brands.
Trust and peace of mind: Élhée’s purpose
In France, the law has prohibited Bisphenol A in baby food containers for over 10 years. Nevertheless, as we have seen, exposure factors remain numerous. At the same time, the European Commission plans to take new measures to protect health in the future.
Starting in 2025, PVC, PFAS (food packaging), flame retardants, all bisphenols and all substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction (CMR) will be subject to new restrictions and bans. However, Élhée didn’t wait for these to be implemented to put babies and their health at the forefront of its concerns.
From the outset, we chose a local, healthy, and totally transparent production. We are proud to offer products designed and 100% made in France, adhering to the strictest health and sustainability standards, to allow BibRond bottles and family memories to be passed from one baby to another. Because at Élhée, quality and safety go hand in hand.
The medical-grade silicone baby bottle: 100% clean and free from toxic materials
A new-generation, hypoallergenic material perfectly suitable for food contact, medical-grade silicone is free from chemical substances. That’s why we’ve chosen to use it for our bottles, as well as for our ergonomic nipples, suction spouts, and today, for our Bubble training cup.
The result? A flexible, high-quality silicone bottle, suitable from birth, used exclusively or in addition to breastfeeding, with a 100% clean composition, free of any toxic substances or endocrine disruptors, also unbreakable, durable, and reusable.
And, for even greater safety, Élhée innovates again with its closure ring that prevents any contact between the milk and any material other than the medical-grade silicone. Bonus: this 100% healthy material can also be heated in a bottle warmer and washed in the dishwasher without any risk of damage or migration.
Élhée: love and innovation
A few years ago, Élhée was born out of the needs and observations of a mother faced with a still too conventional bottle industry. Today, that nurturing vision has evolved to add to its designer, sensory medical-grade silicone bottle a range of healthy childcare products for babies, safe for parents.
Free from BPA, BPS (its already controversial alternative), lead, PVC, nitrosamines, and free from heavy metals, BibRond and the Bubble training cup guarantee all babies a simple and pure feeding experience.
What are the most important endocrine disruptors?
Among the major endocrine disruptors are bisphenols, phthalates, flame retardants, pesticides, and preservatives.
Why choose a silicone baby bottle?
Silicone bottles have several advantages: they are flexible, soft, and totally unbreakable, but most importantly, their 100% healthy material is completely free from chemical substances like endocrine disruptors.
What is the best nipple for babies?
The best baby nipple is an extra-soft, physiologically designed silicone nipple. Medical-grade silicone is hypoallergenic and fully compatible with feeding infants. A physiological nipple, by mimicking the shape of the breast, adapts to the baby’s palate for increased sucking comfort.
