BPA, BPS&Other Sneaky Plastics: Why "BPA-Free" is a Lie

You’ve probably seen “BPA-Free” slapped across water bottles, baby products, and food containers, making you think, "Oh cool, this one won’t poison me". But here’s the dirty little secret: BPA-free doesn’t mean safe—it just means swapped for another chemical cousin that’s just as bad (if not worse). Enter BPS, BPF, and a whole family of sneaky plastic chemicals pulling the same endocrine-disrupting tricks on your body. Again with the endocrine disrupters??? YEP, women are being poisoned by everything left and right! But don't get super freaked out, yes its awful and scary but you have choices! they just don't tell you about them, you have to find it out on your own! Hopefully The Tox Drop will give you all the deets for you to make healthier choices!

What is BPA, and Why Should You Care?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used to harden plastics and line cans. It’s also an endocrine disruptor, meaning it messes with your hormones, mimicking estrogen and throwing your body’s natural balance into chaos. Studies have linked BPA exposure to:

• Hormone imbalances (hello, mood swings and irregular periods)

• Infertility & reproductive issues (for both men and women)

• Increased risk of breast and prostate cancer....sick love that for us

• Obesity & metabolic disorders (yep, it’s not just about diet)

• Neurological issues (especially in developing babies and kids)

Why ‘BPA-Free’ is a Total Scam

Once people got wise to BPA’s dangers, companies did what they do best—greenwashing. They swapped BPA for its just-as-toxic relatives, like BPS (Bisphenol S) and BPF (Bisphenol F). These chemicals look nearly identical to BPA at a molecular level and wreak the same havoc on your hormones. Studies show BPS and BPF can be just as disruptive, with some evidence suggesting they may even stick around in the body longer!! HA...what a joke.

So, that “BPA-Free” label? It’s a band-aid on a bullet wound.

Where These Plastics Are Hiding

These hormone-disrupting plastics are sneaky as hell, showing up in places you wouldn’t expect:

• Receipts – Those slick, thermal paper receipts are coated in BPA or BPS, which absorbs straight through your skin. I have been a waitress for over a decade. It makes me sick to think about all the receipts I have handled. Cant change my past, but I CAN change my future!

• Canned foods – Most cans (even “healthy” brands) are lined with plastic that leaches BPA or its cousins into your food.

• Plastic food containers & water bottles – Especially when heated (microwaving or dishwashing plastic makes it worse!).

• Baby bottles & sippy cups – A lot of brands swapped BPA for BPS, keeping the endocrine disruption in full effect.

• Plastic wrap & food storage bags – Even if they feel safe, most contain some form of bisphenol.

The good news? You don’t have to overhaul your entire life to avoid these plastics. Here are some super simple swaps!

✅ Ditch plastic water bottles → Use stainless steel or glass bottles instead.

✅ Skip the receipts → Opt for digital whenever possible. If you must touch them, wash your hands after and don’t use hand sanitizer (it increases BPA absorption).

✅ Choose glass or stainless steel for food storage → Swap plastic containers for glass ones.

✅ Use silicone lids instead of plastic wrap → Stasher bags or beeswax wraps are great, reusable alternatives.

✅ Buy fresh or frozen instead of canned → If you need canned, look for brands that use BPA/BPS-free linings, like Eden Foods.

✅ For babies: glass bottles & silicone sippy cups → Lifefactory, Pura, and Green Sprouts make great non-toxic options.

How will I know if something I have has any of the BPwhatevers in it???

Great question! and it's not super straight forward, which is exactly how companies like it! lil assholes.

A few ways I listed above, but i'll go into more deets.

1. They’re not usually listed on ingredient labels.

These aren’t ingredients like “fragrance” or “sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate”—they’re used in the materials that hold the product (like plastic containers, lids, can linings, receipts), not the product itself. So they usually won’t show up on a label.

2. Look for recycling codes.

Flip the item over and check the number inside the recycling triangle:

• #7 (Other): Big red flag. This category often contains BPA, BPS, or other bisphenols.

• #3 (PVC): Also sketchy—can contain hormone disruptors.

• Safer plastics: #1, #2, #4, and #5 are generally better, but still not perfect.

3. Watch for “BPA-Free” labels.

If something says “BPA-Free” but is still plastic, it might contain BPS, BPF, or BPF-S instead. These are almost never disclosed unless the company is super transparent.

4. Cans, receipts, & reusable plastics.

• Canned foods: Unless it says “BPA-free lining” and the company discloses what the alternative is, assume risk.

• Receipts: Yep—thermal paper often has BPS.

• Reusable plastic containers and water bottles: If the brand isn’t openly advertising they’re free of all bisphenols (not just BPA), assume they’re in there.

5. Check the brand’s FAQ or materials page.

Some companies will specify if their products are free of all bisphenols. Look for terms like:

• “Free of BPA, BPS, and BPF”

• “No bisphenols used”

• “Tested for estrogenic activity” (this is gold)

If they’re vague or don’t say anything, it’s safe to assume it’s not a clean product.

Final Thoughts:

BPA, BPS, and their plastic relatives are straight-up bad news. But avoiding them doesn’t have to be complicated—a few simple swaps can drastically reduce your exposure. The key is to be aware, read labels, and choose safer materials whenever possible. Your hormones (and your future self) will thank you.

For those who have been following up with my blogs, we have covered Synthetic Fragrances, Phthalates and now BPA's (and it's evil twins), we are on a roll and hopefully you've become more aware of your daily products and items in your household! Together we can Tox Drop one at a time! Be sure to follow me on TikTok and Insta as I continue my Low-Tox journey with you all! I do have a storefront on this site to safer and more low-tox options to make it easier for you all.

Hmmmmm let's see what Toxic Chem shall I dive deep into next?!

-Forever chemicals?? PFA PFOA

-Microplastics!

Let me know in the comments!