You can spend ages choosing the right baby bottle, only to find yourself staring at the packaging wondering what 'BPA-free' actually means. When you're buying something that will come into contact with your baby's milk, it's natural to want more than a reassuring label.
Baby feeding equipment has to meet specific safety requirements, and there's more involved than checking for one chemical.
This guide explains the standards behind those claims, what independent testing involves and how Lola&Lykke works with specialist laboratory Measurlabs to assess its feeding products, so you can feel more confident about the equipment you choose for your baby.
Contents
- Why Baby Feeding Equipment Needs Stricter Testing Than Other Baby Products
- The Two-Layer Safety System: EU Food Contact Law and EN 14350
- How We Test Lola&Lykke's Feeding Products
- Five Things to Check Before Buying Baby Feeding Equipment Online
- Choosing Feeding Equipment With Confidence
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Baby Feeding Equipment Needs Stricter Testing Than Other Baby Products
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) identifies babies as a ‘vulnerable group’ when assessing food safety risks. Their smaller size means they may be exposed to greater amounts of certain substances relative to their body weight, while their developing bodies can be more sensitive to some chemicals.
A baby bottle falls under food contact material (FCM) legislation because it comes into contact with milk. Toys have their own safety requirements, covering chemical hazards as well as risks from pulling, chewing or dropping, but feeding equipment must also meet the rules for materials that come into contact with food.
And that applies to the parts you might not think twice about, such as the valve at the bottom of a bottle or the silicone components inside a pump.
The Two-Layer Safety System: EU Food Contact Law and EN 14350
There are two important sets of requirements to understand: the EU rules for materials that touch food and the European safety standard for children's drinking equipment.
They work together, but they don't cover exactly the same things.
EU Food Contact Material Regulation: The Baseline
Under Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, materials intended to come into contact with food must not transfer substances into it at levels that could harm health. They must also not change the food's composition or contribute an unacceptable taste or smell.
In practical terms, it's not enough for a bottle to look clean and feel sturdy. The material itself needs to be suitable for contact with milk.
This is where migration testing comes in.
‘Migration’ means substances moving from a material into food or liquid. Laboratories test materials to see whether any chemicals could pass into milk or food during normal use. They also consider things like temperature and how long the material will be in contact with the milk.
Think about how often a bottle is filled with warm milk, washed and sterilised. Safety testing needs to take account of how the product will actually be used, not just how it performs straight out of the box.
The rules apply to the relevant milk-contact parts, not just the main bottle or collection container.
EN 14350:2020+A1:2023: What Does It Cover?
EN 14350 is the European safety standard for drinking equipment intended for children from birth to 48 months.
It covers products such as feeding bottles, teats and certain drinking accessories.
The original 2020 standard was amended in 2023. The current amended version, EN 14350:2020+A1:2023, includes requirements for both chemical safety and the physical performance of drinking equipment.
These two examples help explain why those tests matter:
1. Nitrosamine Release Testing
Some rubber materials can release chemicals called nitrosamines, which may be harmful to health. Safety testing checks whether these chemicals can be released from products such as bottle teats and makes sure any amounts released stay within strict limits.
2. Mechanical Durability Testing
A bottle teat also needs to be strong enough to withstand everyday use. Think about how often it gets pulled, chewed, washed and sterilised. Safety tests check that the teat won't easily tear or break, as loose pieces could be a choking hazard.
A bottle might pass its chemical safety tests but still have a problem with how it's made. That's why both types of testing are needed. The standard also covers other potentially harmful substances, along with safety warnings and instructions for parents.
Why Breast Pumps Need Extra Scrutiny
A feeding bottle has several parts. Take a breast pump apart, and you’ll find quite a few more.
Depending on the design, milk may come into contact with a breast shield or funnel, a valve, a connector, a collection container and other components. Tubing may also need to be considered, depending on the design of the pump.
To complicate matters, those parts aren't necessarily made from the same material.
Plastic parts are covered by EU Regulation No 10/2011, which sets specific safety requirements for plastics that come into contact with food. Silicone and rubber must also meet food safety requirements, although the tests used can differ from those for plastic.
That's why testing one plastic part isn't enough. Each part that comes into contact with milk needs to be checked based on what it's made from and how it's used.
How We Test Lola&Lykke's Feeding Products
You shouldn't have to take our word for it when we say our feeding products have been safety tested. At Lola&Lykke, we've worked with independent testing specialist Measurlabs for several years to assess the safety of our breast pumps and feeding equipment.
Measurlabs helps us identify which safety tests are needed for each product and its individual components, then arranges testing through specialist laboratories. This gives us independent evidence to support our products' compliance with the relevant safety requirements, rather than relying on our own checks alone.
For our NaturalFlow Baby Bottle, this means assessing both the bottle and the teat against the relevant requirements for infant drinking equipment. For our breast pumps, the tests take account of the different materials used and which components come into contact with milk.
When a manufacturer says its feeding products meet safety requirements, it needs evidence to back up that claim. A Declaration of Compliance (DoC) is one of the documents used to confirm that certain materials meet the relevant rules.
At Lola&Lykke, we keep the required safety documentation for our feeding products, supported by testing carried out with Measurlabs. This means our safety claims are backed by evidence, not just reassuring words on the packaging.
Additional Safety Testing in Finland
Lola&Lykke's feeding products are designed in Finland. Finland has additional safety requirements for certain baby bottle materials, including extra tests for heavy metals. These tests check whether any metals could pass from the bottle's materials into milk and make sure the amounts stay within safe limits.
Our products undergo these additional checks. This means parents buying Lola&Lykke feeding equipment in the UK benefit from the same extra safety testing.
You can read more about the partnership in Measurlabs' account of its work with Lola&Lykke.
Five Things to Check Before Buying Baby Feeding Equipment Online
When you're shopping for baby bottles, teats or breast pump parts online, it's not always easy to tell which products you can trust. A reassuring description or a good-looking photograph only tells you so much.
The EU introduced its General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) in December 2024. Among other things, it sets rules about the information sellers must show when offering products online, such as the manufacturer's name, contact details and relevant safety warnings. This makes it easier for parents to see who's responsible for a product before buying it.
You don't need to become an expert in product safety regulations before buying a baby bottle. But here are five useful things to check, especially when buying from an unfamiliar brand or online marketplace:
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Check who makes the product. Look for the manufacturer's name, postal address and electronic contact details, not just the name of the online seller. There should also be a clear photograph, enough information to identify the product and any relevant safety warnings.
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Look beyond 'BPA-free'. It's useful information, but it doesn't tell you everything about the materials. See whether the manufacturer explains what was tested and whether an independent laboratory was involved.
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Look for named safety standards. For bottles and teats, look for EN 14350 in the product description, packaging or manufacturer's safety information. Check whether the seller says the product has been tested against that standard, rather than simply mentioning it.
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Be careful with unbranded replacement parts. That bargain replacement teat might look exactly like the original, but looking the same doesn't mean it's made from the same materials or will work safely with your bottle.
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Check the instructions as well as the claims. Look for guidance on cleaning, sterilising, checking for damage and replacing components. Even properly tested equipment needs to be used and cared for correctly.
Not Sure About a Product? Here's What to Ask
Imagine you've found a replacement bottle teat online. It looks identical to your usual one, and the description says 'premium food-grade silicone', but there's no clear information about who made it.
Before ordering, check the seller's details or the manufacturer's website. If you still can't find the information, ask who makes the teat, whether it's compatible with your bottle and where you can find its safety instructions.
If the seller can't answer those questions, it's worth choosing a product with clearer information.
If you're unsure what to ask a manufacturer, you can use this email as a starting point:
Email template
Subject: Safety testing information for [product name]
Hello,
I'm considering buying your [product name] for my baby. Could you please confirm which safety standards it has been tested against, whether independent laboratory testing has been carried out and whether the materials that come into contact with milk have been tested for potentially harmful chemicals?
Thank you.
A manufacturer should be able to explain which requirements apply to its product and what its safety claims mean.
Choosing Feeding Equipment With Confidence
Choosing a baby bottle or breast pump shouldn't mean having to work out what every safety label means. You want to know that the equipment you're using has been properly tested and that the company behind it takes your baby's safety seriously.
At Lola&Lykke, we know how much trust you place in the products you use to feed your baby. That's why we take safety testing seriously and work with independent specialists to make sure our products meet the relevant requirements.
Whether you're choosing your first bottle or looking for a replacement teat, you can explore our NaturalFlow Baby Bottle, NaturalFlow teats, breast pump sets and breast pump accessories and spare parts.
And if you're not sure which product or replacement part is right for you, or you have any questions about safety or materials, please get in touch with our customer care team. We're always happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EN 14350 Mandatory for Baby Bottles Sold in the EU?
EN 14350 is a European safety standard, not a law in itself. Manufacturers must meet the applicable legal safety requirements for their products.
Manufacturers can use EN 14350 to show that their bottles and teats have been tested against recognised safety requirements, including checks for harmful chemicals and choking hazards. They must still meet the laws that apply to their products.
What Is the Difference Between BPA-Free and Independently Tested?
'BPA-free' is a claim about one particular chemical, bisphenol A.
Independent testing means an external laboratory has assessed a product or material against specified requirements. Depending on the product and testing plan, that may include chemical migration, mechanical durability or other safety checks.
A product can be labelled BPA-free without that label telling you whether those other tests have been carried out.
Are Lola&Lykke's Breast Pump Parts Tested for Chemical Migration?
Yes. Lola&Lykke works with Measurlabs to independently test its breast pumps, including assessments of materials and components that come into contact with milk.
The relevant tests depend on the material, the component and its intended use. Plastic, silicone and rubber parts may have different testing requirements.
Can I Use Unbranded Replacement Teats or Pump Valves?
It's safest to use replacement parts that the manufacturer confirms are compatible with your specific product.
An unbranded component may fit physically, but that doesn't establish whether its materials have been appropriately assessed or whether it will perform safely in the equipment.
For example, Lola&Lykke's NaturalFlow teats are designed for use with NaturalFlow bottles.
What Should I Do If I'm Unsure Whether a Feeding Product I Already Own Is Safe?
Start by checking the packaging and instructions for the manufacturer's details, product identification and relevant safety information.
If anything is missing or unclear, contact the manufacturer or retailer before using the product. If you can't establish who made it or whether a replacement part is suitable for your equipment, don't use it until you've confirmed those details.
You should also inspect bottles, teats and pump parts regularly for damage and follow the manufacturer's instructions on when to replace them.
Does a Declaration of Compliance Mean a Product Is Completely Risk-Free?
No product can be described as completely risk-free in every possible situation.
A DoC is a formal statement of compliance with specified legal requirements, supported by relevant technical evidence. It doesn't replace following the manufacturer's instructions, checking parts for damage or using the product as intended.
How Can I Tell Whether a Baby Bottle Has Been Safety Tested?
Start with the manufacturer's product information. Look for a named safety standard, an explanation of the testing carried out and details of any independent laboratory involved.
For example, Lola&Lykke identifies EN 14350 and independent Measurlabs testing in the safety information for its NaturalFlow Baby Bottle.
If a product page makes a broad claim without explaining what it means, contact the manufacturer for clarification.
