Banned in the manufacture of plastic baby bottles since 2012 and identified as a substance of extreme concern by the Court of Justice of the European Union in 2021, bisphenol A continues to make headlines. Still far too present in daily life, BPA, as it is called, is nevertheless one of the proven endocrine disruptors . In response to this problem, Élhée has long chosen medical grade silicone to design its baby bottles, pacifiers and now its training cups. A healthy and safe material, free of all toxic substances and in particular endocrine disruptors.
SUMMARY :
- Endocrine disruptors: who are they and what are their effects?
- On the importance of protecting babies
- Confidence and serenity: Élhée’s raison d’être
- The medical silicone baby bottle, 100% clean and without toxic materials
- Élhée: love and innovation
Endocrine disruptors: who are they and what are their effects?
According to ANSES ( National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety ), endocrine disruptors (EP) meet the following definition: “substances which disrupt the hormonal functioning of living organisms and thus cause harmful effects on the health of humans or living beings in the environment. »Alongside bisphenols , known for their presence in the plastic used to make baby bottles, there are, among others, phthalates and parabens . Pesticides and preservatives are also classified in the list of endocrine disruptors.
How do endocrine disruptors work?
Because in their structure, endocrine disruptors resemble hormones , they are capable of reproducing the behavior of real hormones and thus, confusing the message . Scientists speak of a mimetic or agonist effect.PEs also work by attaching to hormone receptors, preventing communication . This is a question of blocking or antagonistic effect.
More generally, endocrine disruptors disrupt the proper functioning of hormones in the body. PEs are capable of disrupting all endocrine functions, which notably regulate growth, reproduction, sleep, mood and even metabolism.
Understanding and assessing health risks
To better understand endocrine disruptors and the health risks they cause , the various studies carried out take several elements into account.-
Risk of exposure : the level of evidence varies greatly from one substance to another.
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Exposure dose : some EDs (such as BPA and phthalate ) show greater effects at low doses.
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Window of exposure : the critical window of exposure to endocrine disruptors extends from the prenatal period, through early childhood, and then through adolescence.
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Cocktail effect : the long-term effects of exposure to several chemical substances are still poorly understood.
- Latency time : the effects of endocrine disruptors can take one or several years to become apparent. Researchers also admit the possibility of transgenerational transmission .
Together, these factors create complexity that makes the effects of endocrine disruptors difficult to assess and limiting their exposure urgent .
Endocrine disruptors are everywhere
Bisphenol A is prohibited in the plastic of baby bottles, yet it is found in food plastics or inside certain cans. To avoid them as much as possible, you can pay attention to:-
Food plastics and inside certain cans, but also, among other things, in the trays of frozen meals which it is better to avoid using to reheat them,
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to certain toys that contain phthalates used to make plastic more flexible,
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shampoos and other cosmetic creams, which may contain parabens,
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receipts, household cleaners, etc.
In summary, the main points of exposure to endocrine disruptors are water, food, industrial products and phytosanitary products. The key to all this? Focus on natural and unprocessed products as soon as possible.
On the importance of protecting babies
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The pregnancy,
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before 3 years for children,
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at puberty.
After birth , continue your efforts with the healthiest postpartum diet possible , especially if you are breastfeeding your baby. Also be wary of textiles, which are too often treated to be waterproof, stain-resistant and non-flammable. When it comes to toys and furniture, avoid plastic as soon as possible in favor of natural materials like wood. Finally, toiletries should be limited in number and chosen organic or made yourself (the shortest ingredient lists are the best).
For adolescents , the recommendations are similar: limit the consumption of processed products (prepared meals, industrial pastries, fast food, etc.), wash clothes before wearing them and pay attention to the use of cosmetics (shower gel, deodorant, styling products, or even makeup), many of which contain PE.
From birth and even before, babies can therefore be regularly exposed to endocrine disruptors of all kinds. So many reasons to adopt the best habits without delay, and focus on the healthiest brands.
Confidence and serenity: Élhée’s reason for being
In France, the law has banned bisphenol A in baby containers for more than 10 years. However, as we have seen, the exposure factors remain numerous. At the same time, the European Commission plans to take new measures to protect their health in the future.
From 2025, flame retardant PVCs, PFAS (food packaging) , all bisphenols and all substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) , will be subject to new restrictions and bans . However, Élhée did not wait for their implementation to place babies and their health at the center of her concerns.
From the start, we opted for local, healthy and completely transparent production . Thus, we are proud to offer products designed and 100% made in France , respecting the strictest standards in terms of health and sustainability , for the transmission of Round Bibs and family memories, from one baby to the next. . Because at Élhée, quality and safety go hand in hand.
The medical silicone baby bottle, 100% clean and without toxic materials
A non-allergenic neo-material and perfectly suited to food contact, medical grade silicone is free of chemical substances . This is why we chose to use it for our baby bottles, but also for our physiological teats, sucking spouts and today, for our Bubble learning cup .
The result ? A soft, quality silicone baby bottle, usable from birth, exclusively or alongside breastfeeding , with a 100% clean composition, without toxic substances or endocrine disruptors, also unbreakable, durable and reusable.
And, for even greater safety, Élhée innovates again thanks to its closing ring which prevents any contact between milk and any material other than medical silicone. As a bonus, this 100% healthy material can also be heated in a bottle warmer and washed in the dishwasher without risk of deterioration or migration .
Élhée, love and innovation
A few years ago, Élhée was born from the needs and observations of a mother faced with a bottle industry that was still too conventional. Today, the milky parenthesis is evolving to add to its designer and sensory silicone bottle , a whole range of childcare items that are healthy for babies and safe for their parents .
BPA-free, BPS-free (its already controversial alternative), lead-free, PVC-free, nitrosamine-free and free of heavy metals, the Round Bib and the Bubble learning cup ensure simple and pure nutrition for all babies.
What are the most important endocrine disruptors?
Among the list of major endocrine disruptors, we find bisphenols, phthalates, flame retardants, pesticides and preservatives.
Why choose a silicone baby bottle?
The silicone baby bottle has several advantages: it is flexible, soft and completely unbreakable, but above all its 100% healthy material is completely free of chemical substances such as endocrine disruptors.
What is the best pacifier for baby?
The best baby pacifier is a physiologically designed, extra soft silicone pacifier. In fact, medical silicone is anti-allergenic and entirely compatible with baby food. As for the physiological pacifier, by imitating the shape of the breast, it adapts to the shape of the baby's palate for increased sucking comfort.
