What is BPA?
BPA stands for bisphenol A — a synthetic chemical that has been used since the 1950s to manufacture polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. These materials are found in a wide range of everyday products: food and drink containers, bottle tops, water supply pipes, the lining of food tins, and — until relatively recently — many reusable water bottles.
BPA is what makes certain plastics hard, clear, and shatter-resistant. It was considered a practical solution for decades before researchers began investigating its effects on human health.
Why is BPA a concern?
The concern with BPA centres on its ability to mimic oestrogen — one of the body's key hormones — in the human body. BPA is classified as an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can interfere with the hormonal system.
Multiple scientific studies have raised concerns about BPA's potential effects, including links to reproductive issues, developmental problems in children, metabolic disorders including obesity and type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular effects, and altered immune function.
BPA leaches from containers into food and drink — particularly when heated, scratched, or exposed to acidic liquids. A hot drink in a BPA-containing plastic container, for example, accelerates the rate at which BPA transfers into the liquid.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) significantly lowered its tolerable daily intake for BPA in 2023, reflecting growing concern about its potential health effects even at low levels of exposure.
What about BPA-free plastics?
Many manufacturers responded to public concern by switching to BPA-free formulations — replacing BPA with chemically similar compounds such as BPS (bisphenol S) or BPF (bisphenol F).
However, emerging research suggests that these replacement compounds may share similar endocrine-disrupting properties to BPA. A number of studies have found BPS and BPF to be biologically active in similar ways to their predecessor, raising questions about whether "BPA-free" labelling genuinely represents a safer product.
This has led many health-conscious consumers to move away from plastic drink containers entirely, rather than relying on BPA-free alternatives.
Where is BPA found?
Common sources of BPA exposure include:
- Plastic food and drink containers (particularly those marked with recycling code 7)
- The lining inside food and drink tins
- Thermal paper receipts
- Plastic water bottles — particularly older or lower-quality ones
- Children's feeding equipment (now largely regulated in the UK and EU)
How to reduce your BPA exposure
Switch to stainless steel or glass for drinks. Both are chemically inert and contain no BPA or substitute bisphenols. A quality stainless steel water bottle is the single most impactful switch most people can make.
Avoid heating food in plastic containers. Microwaving plastic dramatically increases leaching — even with BPA-free containers.
Choose fresh or glass-packaged food where possible. Tinned foods are a significant source of BPA from epoxy linings.</p>
Don't put plastic bottles in the dishwasher. Heat and detergents accelerate the breakdown of plastics and increase leaching.
Why stainless steel is the safe choice
Stainless steel contains no bisphenols, no synthetic polymers, and no chemical compounds that can leach into liquids. It's the same material used in professional food preparation and medical equipment for this very reason — it's chemically stable, non-reactive, and doesn't degrade in the same way plastics do.
At Mondello, our stainless steel water bottles are completely BPA-free and toxin-free throughout — including the lids and seals. The bottle body is double-wall vacuum insulated stainless steel, laser engraved rather than painted, and designed to be used safely every day for years.
With over 645 verified customer reviews and a 4.9-star rating, Mondello is trusted by thousands of UK customers looking for a genuinely safe, long-lasting alternative to plastic bottles.
The bottom line
BPA is a well-documented endocrine disruptor that leaches from plastic containers into food and drink. BPA-free alternatives may not be significantly safer. The most effective way to reduce your exposure is to switch to stainless steel or glass containers for drinks — a simple change that removes the issue entirely.
Your water bottle is something you use multiple times every single day. Making sure it's made from the right material is one of the most straightforward health decisions you can make.
Switch to a BPA-Free Mondello Stainless Steel Bottle
For a full comparison of the best water bottles available in the UK this year, see our complete guide here
