Plastic, Food Contact and Children’s Health: A Pediatrician’s Perspective
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Time to Read: 6 min
What Pediatricians Know, What’s Still Being Studied, and How Parents Can Reduce Exposure Without Panic
Over the past few years, more parents have been asking me questions that go beyond what their children are eating.
They’re asking:
“Does it matter what my child eats from?”
“Is plastic really a problem?”
“Do I need to get rid of everything in my kitchen?”
As a pediatrician—and a mom—I understand where this concern comes from. Parents are becoming more aware of chemicals in our food system, ultra-processed foods, and environmental exposures that may affect children’s health.
So let’s take a breath and talk about this clearly, calmly, and without fear.
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Why Pediatricians Think About Exposure Differently Than Parents
In pediatrics, we think less about one-time events and more about cumulative exposure over time.
Children:
Eat more food per pound of body weight than adults
Have developing organ systems
Experience sensitive windows of growth and hormonal development
That means small exposures—repeated daily—can matter more in childhood than they do later in life.
This doesn’t mean panic.
It means thoughtful defaults.
What We Know About Plastic and Food Contact
Many plastics used in food packaging and dishware contain chemicals designed to make them:
Flexible
Durable
Heat resistant
Some of these chemicals—such as certain bisphenols, phthalates, and PFAS—have been studied for their ability to interact with the endocrine (hormone) system.
Why hormones matter in childhood
Hormones help regulate:
Growth
Metabolism
Puberty
Brain development
During early life, hormonal signals are especially important—and especially sensitive.
This is why major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, have recommended reducing children’s exposure to certain plastics where feasible, particularly for food contact, heat, and fatty foods.
What “Endocrine Disruption” Actually Means (In Plain Language)
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals don’t behave like traditional toxins.
They don’t need to cause immediate illness to matter.
Instead, they can:
Mimic natural hormones
Block hormonal signals
Interfere with normal developmental timing
The concern isn’t about one plastic plate or one meal.
It’s about daily, repeated exposure across years of growth.
What’s Still Being Studied (And Why That Matters)
Science continues to evolve.
Researchers are actively studying:
Microplastics and nanoplastics
Long-term low-dose exposure
Combined effects of multiple chemicals
As with all emerging science, recommendations change as evidence grows.
That’s why pediatricians emphasize precaution where it’s practical, not perfection.
Mealtime Essentials
Why Heat, Time, and Fat Matter Most
Chemical migration from plastic increases with:
Heat (microwaving, hot foods)
Time (storage)
Fat content (oils, dairy)
This is why pediatric guidance often focuses on food-contact items used every day, especially for warm meals.
The Hopeful Part Parents Rarely Hear
Here’s something reassuring—and empowering:
When families reduce plastic exposure, measurable levels of some plastic-related chemicals in the body can decrease in as little as a few days to weeks.
This tells us two important things:
Exposure is modifiable
Small changes can make a real difference
Health is not all-or-nothing.
It’s cumulative—and so are improvements.
Why Pediatricians Recommend Glass and Stainless Steel
When parents ask what materials pediatricians are most comfortable with for daily food contact, two rise to the top:
Glass and stainless steel.
Why?
They are inert and stable
They do not leach chemicals into food
They have been used for generations
Their safety profile is well understood
They are durable and reusable
These materials have stood the test of time—for both human health and environmental health.
Why Silicone Often Confuses Parents
Silicone is often marketed as “safer,” but from a pediatric perspective:
It is still a polymer
It can absorb odors and oils
Long-term food-contact data is still evolving
For families looking to simplify decisions, pediatricians tend to be most confident recommending glass and stainless steel as everyday defaults.
Why This Matters for Long-Term Health Trends
Pediatricians are seeing increases in:
Childhood obesity
Early metabolic changes
Earlier onset puberty in some populations
These trends are influenced by many factors—nutrition, activity, sleep, stress, and environment.
No single exposure explains everything.
But reducing unnecessary chemical contact is one practical, upstream step families can take alongside nourishing food and healthy routines.
A Pediatrician’s Real-Life Perspective
In my own home—and in the schools I work with—I’ve asked the same question parents ask:
“If children are eating multiple times a day, every day, for years… what’s the safest default we can give them?”
That question led me to look beyond ingredients and recipes—to the tools we use at every meal.
Because when a safer choice becomes the easy choice, health improves quietly over time.
A Pediatrician’s Take
Reducing plastic exposure doesn’t require fear or perfection.
It requires awareness, intention, and choosing safer defaults where it matters most—especially during childhood.
Small, repeatable changes add up.
And they matter.
— Dr. Manasa Mantravadi, pediatrician
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to throw out all my plastic?
No. Focus on replacing high-use, food-contact items over time—especially those used with heat.
Is plastic exposure really harmful?
Some chemicals used in plastics have been shown to interact with hormones. The goal is reducing unnecessary exposure, not eliminating all plastic from life.
Are glass and stainless steel really safer?
Yes. These materials are inert, stable, and widely recommended for food contact—especially for children.
How quickly can exposure levels change?
Studies show that reducing contact with certain plastics can lower detectable levels of some chemicals within days to weeks.
Is this about environmental health too?
Yes. Reusable, durable materials support both human health and a healthier planet for children to grow up in.
One Last Reassurance
If you’re just starting to think about plastic exposure, you’re not behind.
Health isn’t built overnight—it’s built through everyday choices that quietly add up.
I’d much rather meet families in the kitchen, focused on prevention, than in the clinic worrying about what could have been done differently.
You’ve got this.
And I’ve got you here in The Pediatrician Kitchen—where food is health, tools matter, and small changes truly count.
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
