Can BPA from plastic food containers affect fertility?
BPA can migrate from some plastic containers into food. A 2026 rat study found BPA damaged testicular tissue and disrupted sperm-related markers, so glass storage is a useful exposure-reduction step.
What we know
A 2025 Journal of Xenobiotics review found that compounds can migrate from plastic containers into food, including BPA.
A 2026 Reproductive Toxicology rat study looked at BPA exposure and male fertility markers. BPA exposure increased oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and testicular damage. It also disrupted spermatogenesis markers and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hormones in rats.
What this means for your family
This does not prove that plastic food containers cause fertility problems in people. It does support lowering BPA contact where it is easy, especially for people planning a pregnancy.
Food storage is a good starting point because many families use the same containers every day.
Simple safer steps
Store leftovers in glass containers. Do not microwave food in plastic. Replace worn plastic containers with glass as they age.