There is a good reason I opted not to study chemistry at university – my passion for learning and my interests lay elsewhere. However, ever since I’ve become a parent, I find myself involved in learning about a number of chemical substances which are present around us and inside us…only to discover – that my learning curve is going to be very steep.
First there was BPA, then Phthalates, then SLS, and 1,4-Dioxane, then Triclosan, and Formamide,… then “Nitrosamines”?
Nitrosamines, and its compounds, are known carcinogens that, according to a Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) report, “have been extensively tested in 40 different animal species and caused cancer in everyone of them, both after respiratory and oral exposure”.
I came across this word, recently, when a French consumers’ group, Que Choisir, issued a report which sparked controversy. As part of an investigation into the toxicity of toys, this association pointed the finger at Sophie the Giraffe – the timeless French toy.
As covered by many social media magazines in France, the report claims that Sophie the Giraffe contains nitrosamines. And the truth is, she does. She is made from 100% natural rubber derived from the sap of the Hevea tree. Traces of nitrosamines in Sophie come from the vulcanization of the rubber sap by the rotational molding process. However, these traces are low and comply with the requirements of European standards, says Sophie’s manufacturer.
In fact, nitrosamines exist in nature: beer, sausages, nicotine… you name it; but none of the above is consumed by little teething babies, and this is where the controversy seems to have started.
So wait a second! Are they saying Sophie the Giraffe is toxic?!!! Is she going to give my baby cancer?
Well, it depends on whom you ask.
According to the revised Toy Safety Directive (see page 10) in effect as of 2013, toys intended for use by children under 36 months or toys intended to be placed in the mouth must have less or equal to 0.05 mg/kg of nitrosamines and 1 mg/kg of nitrosatable substances. Sophie’s manufacturer has been consistently compliant with the regulation. So Sophie is fine then, right?
Well, in their report, Que Choisir acknowledges that the levels of nitrosamines detected in Sophie meet the current EU toy safety standards. However, they allege that Sophie meets the toy safety standards for nitrosamines because it is regulated as a toy; should the Giraffe fall under the regulation for teats and soothers, Que Choisir claims the teether would be taken off the market.
On the other hand, Vulli, the manufacturer, has issued a statement refuting the allegations, insisting that Sophie has been safe for 50 years, and will continue to be so for generations to come. They are promising further legal action should anyone continue to “release information that is unfounded and unwarranted in any way that is harmful to Vulli.” According to the manufacturer, Sophie is “an undisputed star for the very young. The archetypal embodiment of the early learning toy”.
But with all due respect to Sophie, who, I agree, “has become timeless and cross-generational”, this story is not about her. This story is about our kids’ health, and the current toy safety policies and their effectiveness. In the report, Que Choisir challenges the existent toys safety system in general. The magazine denounces the established regulatory standards calling for more stringent safety regulations, asking France to endorse Germany’s demanding toy safety legislation.
In the US, it is safe to say that the existing 35 year-old law that governs federal chemicals policy is too relaxed to be protective. Under this legislation the EPA has required testing on just 200 of the nearly 80,000 existing chemicals, and restricted only five. Enough said.
And while the famous Sophie has found herself sitting in a hot seat amid the media hype just before Christmas with the Jury still out, the real questions remain unanswered.
Are the current toy safety standards in the EU and the US capable of protecting our children? Do I err on the side of caution and get rid of the cute teether, or should I let my baby chew on the rubber toy hoping it won’t make her sick?
Please, share your thoughts. What do you think? How do you feel about this story?
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Great post!
Great article! I’d say that parents should be aware that Sophie the Giraffe has been tested and proven safe as a TOY, not a TEETHER. Apparently even “100% natural rubber” can contain up to 3% chemicals.”Natural rubber” toys can have trace amounts of harmful chemicals in them and pass the safety testing. It’s still safer than vinyl. The safest soft rubber material for pacifiers, teethers and baby bottles is additive-free silicone rubber.
Thank you Janet for stopping by and for adding this valuable information.
What I’d also like to add is that I find strange that Sophie the Giraffe is marketed as “the most famous baby “TEETHING TOY”, and it is regulated as a “TOY”; but isn’t a “teething toy” the same thing as a “teether”? So confusing…
Sophie passes the standards as a “soother” or pacifier and a “teat” or teether. She passes these tests even according to Germany’s stricter regulations.
Thank you Erica! Glad you liked it…
Wish the matter was a bit more positive though. 
I have read the orinal article in french, it is great to share it in english, apparently very few of us are concerned with chemical safety in our lifes…hopefully sharing these will open some people eyes and spark new interest in north america, I have a tendency to consult European standard (mostly German) when I wonder about a product or a vaccine…..
Thanks Audrey for the comment! I also like to consult certain European online magazines; this is where I first found about the teether, and I was absolutely shocked!!! And thanks to Google Translate I can now “read” magazines even in Dutch
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Great post! Not sure what to think… Is pushing my child in a stroller in the city just as bad (with the exposure to fumes, chemicals, etc.)? I want to be extra cautious but not neurotic
> I think the fact that Sophie has been around a long time is kinda irrelevant. So has Wonder Bread. LOL!
Any ways, I appreciate you sharing this with us!
Thank you Genevieve for commenting! What a great blog you’ve got there!
Oh yes…Wonder Bread….
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Our modern world is filled with tens of thousands of traces of toxins and cancerous substances. I truly believe it is impossible to keep our kids free of them, no matter how hard we try. I am also aware that the definition of “poison” involves quantities. Small amounts of toxins, actually make us stronger contrary to popular belief. A child brought up in an extreme aseptic environment becomes weak and sickly.
The giraffe is cut, has been around for half a century and will gently introduce my daughter to the really big problems ahead, such as wonder bread! I’m not saying give them beer and sausages, but I do believe in not going overboard in paranoia.
I’d rather give her Sophie, have a dog in the house and keep her away from sodas, wonder bread, TV, iPads and mercury.
Just my humble opinion.
Thank you Andres for stopping by and for sharing your opinion.
I totally respect your opinion and you sound like an awesome parent. However, just something to consider – Sophie has been around for 50 years, and in those 50 years the prevalence of serious, long-term diseases like cancer has significantly increase. I am *definitely* not saying she caused that, that would be crazy, but we can’t say “she’s safe because she’s been around a half a century”. We don’t know the long-term effects of something like this but the argument from antiquity is always a dangerous one. Just food for thought!
thanks for sharing this info. So in your research, what teethers are safe for babies?
Thank you Bella!
It’s a great question…
I love Organic knit terry star shaped blankie with cool teething ring. It’s an EVA soother filled with sterilized water that can be detached and chilled in refrigerator for soothing effect. It’s BPA, PVC, Phthalate and Nitrosamine free and recommended for ages 3 months & up.
You can check it out here in my Amazon store, or Google it to see if there may be better deals for this teether somewhere else online;
I’ve also heard great things about Smart Mom Teethers but I’ve never gave them to my kids…
Whatever you decide to do, before you make any decisions, please read this post about the safety of teething gels.
Good luck!