BPA, PVC and Phthalate Free Bath Toy Guide

Posted on March 17th, 2008 by Alicia

rich-frog-rubber-ducky

UPDATED 4/10/09

Sadly, PVC is a mainstay in children’s bath toys. But with some digging, we were able to find an array of alternatives. Keep an eye on our list, because we’ll add to it as we learn of more BPA and PVC free options.

Boon, Inc. Bath Goods (updated 12/8/08 )

  • The Flo Faucet Cover, Frog Pod, Appliqués and Mini-scrubbies included in the  Designer Bath Toys are BPA, PVC and phthalate free
  • The balls included in the Designer set are currently made with PVC, but Boon just confirmed for us that they are working to reformulate the balls to be PVC-free soon
  • All of Boon’s new bath toys are BPA, PVC and phthalate free:  Bug Pod,  Splat, Water Bugs, Scrubble, Squish Duck, Slim Duck, Jane Duck, Bob Duck (the Boon Ducks production has been set back to Fall 2009)

PUJ Baby (added 12/2/08 )

The new PUJ Baby Bath (pronounced “pudge”) is a Mom-invented and very unique bathtub.  It’s made from EVA foam, making it soft and comfortable for baby.

International Play Things (updated 4/10/08 )

We ran into International Play Things bath toys everywhere we turned.  They have listened to concerned parents and worked to add many new safer bath toys for 2009.

Rich Frog Industries Bath Toys

Sassy Bath Toys

  • Aquatic Bobbers
  • Count ‘n Spell Bath Appliques
  • Bath Wigglers
  • Stack Up Critter Cups
  • Bath Links
  • Squirting Sea Creatures
  • Squishy Squirt Pals
  • Counting Fish ‘n Net
  • Double Duckies
  • Hip-O-Boat (please note that the Gator Boat does contain PVC).
  • Fishing Links
  • Hook, Line and Sinkers
  • Bloom and Groom Garden Set
  • Twist and Turn Trio
  • Tubby Tumblers

Needless to say, we were thrilled to hear that Sassy offers so many great bath toy options. By the way, Sassy responded to our inquiries immediately and thoroughly.

Spielstabil

  • Splashing Fun: 5 pc. set includes boat, water mill, spoon scoop, draining cup and a rubber ducky (the rubber ducky is made from phthalate free PVC).
  • Stacking Cups
  • Transparent Bucket with Geometrical Sands Molds
  • Transparent Bucket with Small Boats
  • Beaker Set
  • Baby’s Water Fun Set: Funny bucket with rattle rings and foot print on bottom, watering can, baby spoon and 3 animal water squirters (all of the animal water squirters are made from PVC).
  • All Sand Toys are BPA, PVC and Phthalate Free: Baby Foot Bucket, Baby Sand Set, Baby’s Sand Play, Baby Sand Spoons

We were thoroughly impressed with Spielstabil’s very quick response. We also learned their whole line of toys (with the exception of the ones listed above) are completely BPA, PVC and Phthalate free!

Juvenile Solutions, Inc.

  • Baby Cocoon Bath Seat
  • Thermobaby Daphne Infant Bath Seat
  • Thermobaby Plastic Bathtub
  • Peli’s Play Pouch Bath Toy Organizer
  • Digital Dolphin Thermometer

We were pleasantly surprised to learn that each and every product offered by Juvenile Solutions, Inc. is BPA, PVC and Phthalate free! Their line includes the very popular Baby Cubes, as well as baby dishes, utensils, bibs, etc.

Fisher Price

We hit a wall when inquiring about Fisher Price’s Aquarium Bath Center and Rainforest Bath Center. We were told by the rep and the rep’s supervisor that their list of materials is “proprietary.” Then they topped off our disappointment with letters of BPA and PVC safety assurance.

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Filed under: Bath Gear and Toys

« We’ve Been Playing with Our Bottles Again . . . Steering Clear of Lead in Baby Bibs »
  • Excellent!
  • Elizabeth
    Yay! I was thinking today about the pitch I was going to have to use on my family in order to convince them that we needed to start a small business making BPA, PVC and Phthalate free bath toys! So glad to hear that there is a company out there who has some so I can recycle the ones that I have :) Thanks Alicia and all the other folks out there!!!
  • Lisa
    What about lead?
  • @Lisa: That's a great question. Sassy does periodic testing for lead, as do all companies we work with at The Soft Landing.

    We'll be sure to make special note of each company's policy on lead-testing as we continue to make our way through the bath toys on the market.
  • Chandra
    Thanks so much for this information, it is MUCH needed. Have you looked into a company called Spielstabil? They make beautiful bath toys (that are sold on Amazon) and they say they are PVC-free. The plastic they use is the same as Lego has used for years, but they don't offer any information on BPA, Phalates or Lead. I have tried several times to contact the company to no avail. Maybe you will have better luck?

    Thanks as always for providing great info :)
  • Meg
    Ah, you are superb, thank you! I started to check out other bath toys before I got your email...I came across the brands "Boon" and "Alex." Any thoughts? I will be looking for Sassy toys as the washcloth puppet is getting old fast! Thank you again.
  • kim
    Spielstabil is considered in Germany as the best, i.e safest plastic toys you can buy. They don't use PVC, they are BPA free and their colors are all according to the tough EU and German toy standards (which much stricter than the U.S. standards), ie lead and poison free. Moreover, they are produced in Germany and not in China as most of Sassy's stuff.
  • @Kim: Thanks for sharing Spielstabil toys with us. They do appear to be PVC free and in accordance with EU standards, which are much higher than US standards.

    I did notice that several of their products are made in China as noted on at a Spielstabil retailer website (www.maukilo.com):

    "Spielstabil Bath Splash Fun, 5pc - PVC-Free - Lots of fun in the bathtub or paddling pool. Included are one boat (made in China), one cup with drainage holes, one spoon, one water mill and of course a yellow rubber ducky (made in China), all packaged on a vinyl pouch with 2 suction cups."

    We worry more about the company producing the product than we do about where the product is made. You can read more about our view on products made in China here.
  • Lisa
    Thanks for a great website/blog! I just discovered you, but have already passed on your information to all my friends with children.

    I wanted to follow up on the question about Spielstabil toys. Your reply to Chandra's original post about the company says that the toys are PVC-free and in accordance with EU standards. However, I'm still left wondering (since I don't know the details of EU standards): are the toys also phthlate- and BPA-free?

    I'm ready to get rid of my son's doubtlessly toxic rubber duckies, but didn't want to spend the money on these products without assurance that they truly are toxic free.

    Thanks!
  • Hi Lisa,

    Thanks so much for your kinds words!

    I decided to contact the company directly to make sure that all products are also BPA and Phthalate free and this is the response I received this morning:

    Dear Alicia,

    Thank you for your interest in our spielstabil items. I am glad to confirm you that all of our products are phthalate and BPA free!
    We have only two items made from PVC, but phthalate free of course. It is the duck in our item 3704 splashing fun and the squirter animals in item 7524 baby set.

    Hope that helps!

    Alicia
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