Study links “high safety” plasticizer Dinch to lower birth weight

A new peer‑reviewed study says exposure to Dinch, a plasticizer marketed as a “high safety”, nontoxic alternative, is linked to lower birth weight and fetal development complications. The Guardian reported that the research found the chemical, which has been adopted as a replacement for older phthalate plasticizers, may cause “serious health problems later in life”.

Industry began using Dinch after health risks from common phthalates became clear over the past few decades. The chemical is now widely used in soft plastic food packaging in the United States and European Union, and also appears in children’s toys, medical devices, some textiles, flooring and other consumer goods.

The study’s authors suggest that the findings raise questions about the safety of chemicals that are promoted as safer substitutes for known hazardous substances.

Why it matters

The findings indicate that chemicals advertised as safer may still pose risks to fetal development, prompting scrutiny of their use in food packaging and other everyday products.

Key details

Location

United States · Americas

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

7 Nov 2026, 17:30 IST

Key names

EU, Exposure, Dinch

Section

Health

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianNew ‘high safety’ chemicals in plastic food packaging linked to lower birth weight, study finds 7 Nov, 17:30

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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