Which Bright Starts Teethers are BPA, PVC and Phthalate Free?

November 26, 2008 by Alicia
Filed under Baby Teethers

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We don’t know.

We just completed a routine follow-up with Bright Starts (Kids II, Inc.), re-confirming the info we had previously been given for our Safer Teether Guide. We were disappointed to receive a completely different response this time around.

Bright Starts would not confirm that the Chill and Teethe Tubes, Licensed to Drool, and Rattle and Spin Teethers were indeed BPA/PVC/Phthalate-free. When we were told that their materials were proprietary, we urged them to provide concerned parents with at least a few options for toxin-free toys. We just couldn’t get a straight yes or no answer. Here is their final response to our inquiries:

We commend you for what you are doing in providing information to parents and share your passion in wanting to ensure that all kids are safe. In that regard, consumers can be assured that Kids II products comply with all existing and applicable U.S. and international standards for BPA and phthalates in our products. We thank you again for your concern and for reaching out to us.

This statement leads us to believe that some of their products may contain BPA and/or PVC since there are no regulations limiting either chemical. We were left with no choice but to remove the following Bright Starts products from our Safer Teether Guide.

Chill and Teethe Tubes May Contain BPA/PVC

License to Drool Teethers May Contain BPA/PVC

Rattle and Spin Teethers May Contain BPA/PVC

Tags: BPA, Bright Starts Teethers, Kids II, Phthalates, PVC, Safer Teether Guide

Jessi

What has to happen to have regluations prohibiting the use of PVC, phthalates and BPA in children's toys? This seems like the most important issue here. Do we need to contact our elected officials to begin the dicussion about this?

yvonne

I contacted Kids II regarding PVC, phthalate and BPA in the Baby Einstein Discover & Play Teether book and the Bright Starts Teether Book. I got the same generic email that the information was proprietary and that they follow all regulations blah blah, which is such a joke since there isn't any. So frustrating.

Lana

I had previously posted that my daughter hadn't taken to these. Now that her teething has stepped up they are her favs, although they don't stay cold long enough. So I figured, what the heck, I'll go get her another set.

Here's where it gets interesting: the newer set is significantly clearer plastic than the old. I noticed it immediately when I had them side by side. Now I'm wondering if they have been reformulated at some point... I'm going to try to contact them and ask.

Nancy

I assume this means NO Bright Starts plastic products can be assumed safe - i was given the "teether pals"

willowsprite

You know, sometimes I could just cry about this. Now what do I do with my chill and teethe tubes that my son has been chewing on??!!

Trisha

Ugh, I can't stand the "our ingredients are proprietary" comment. Uh, my BODY is proprietary! I want to know what I am putting in it, on it; and that includes what my kids are mouthing. And the "we comply with all current regulations..." whatever, blah, blah, blah.... it certainly is frustrating. I am glad you follow up. I have found this is best as I have gotten different information from some companies every time I call them.

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Aimee G

That's awful! I agree with the comments already made; I have 2 of these for my daughter and they will be going right in the trash now!

Lana

Thanks for following up on this! We had bought a set of the teething tubes since they were on your list - thankfully, DD didn't take to them (instead she's a fan of Sassy's Coolin' Teethers).

HealthyToys did test a set of them though (the same set I bought yay!), and the only PVC they found was in the packaging. http://www.healthytoys.org/product.details.php?... So that just leaves BPA as a point of concern...

Heather

Wow, you even do follow up! Thank you so much for the service you are providing. Its too bad these companies are allowed to get away with misleading us! Hopefully, they will soon realize that we dont and wont take it anymore!!!

tryingtobegreener

Wonderful - I bought 2 of these toys for my daughter thinking they were in fact BPA free. It makes me so angry when companies back pedal on safety information about their products.

Thank you so much for keeping us informed!