Can BPA from plastic food contact matter during pregnancy?
A 2026 pregnancy cohort linked higher early-pregnancy BPA with lower serum total bile acid levels. This is a body-signal study, not proof that one container causes a pregnancy problem.
Short answer
Use caution, especially during pregnancy. A 2026 Environmental Pollution study followed 1,317 pregnant women. Higher BPA in early pregnancy was linked with lower serum total bile acid levels in the first and second trimesters.
The same paper says abnormal total bile acid levels are linked with several adverse pregnancy outcomes. This does not prove that one food container causes a pregnancy complication. It does support reducing easy BPA food-contact exposures.
Where BPA can come from
A 2025 Food Chemistry: X study found BPA in packaged milk and found BPA leaching from 4 of 6 baby bottle brands tested. Raw milk stored in polycarbonate containers had the highest BPA levels at elevated temperatures.
What to do
Use glass storage jars for warm food, leftovers, and pantry staples. Do not heat food in plastic. For cans, choose fresh or frozen foods when that is easy, because this page does not verify a can-lining product swap.
The research at a glance
What to use instead
Use glass storage jars for leftovers and warm foods. This lowers one BPA food-contact route without claiming to change pregnancy risk.
Shop Non-Toxic Kitchen