Berkley Lr20fd Spinning Reel Fishing Reel
Lower PFAS concern based on materials recorded, with no brand disclosure on record.
The reel is made from aluminum spool, graphite composite body, and stainless steel ball bearings. No coating or water-repellent finish is listed on record, and the brand has no PFAS statement on record.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Aluminum spool, graphite composite body, stainless steel ball bearings
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Berkley Lr20fd Spinning Reel Fishing Reel is made of, ingredients and materials
The Berkley LR20FD uses an aluminum spool, graphite composite body, and stainless steel ball bearings. These are mechanically inert materials chosen for durability and corrosion resistance in wet environments. Aluminum is non-toxic when in direct contact with skin or water, and graphite composites do not leach chemicals under normal fishing use. Stainless steel bearings are passive and do not degrade into the water or onto hands during handling.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Plastic component degradation (drag washers, o-rings, gaskets)
The reel contains elastomer seals and possibly plastic drag washers that may degrade over 3-5 years of use, especially in UV or heat. Degradation does not release plastic microparticles into water or pose ingestion risk, but performance loss indicates replacement need.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Aluminum corrosion and leaching
Aluminum spools are anodized or naturally passivated; no documented leaching of aluminum into water or onto skin under normal use. Saltwater exposure does not cause chemical breakdown of the spool material itself.
Graphite composite off-gassing or particle shedding
Graphite composites used in fishing reel bodies are mechanically stable and do not off-gas volatile compounds during normal handling or storage. Microscopic particle shedding from wear is negligible and inert.
Stainless steel leaching
Ball bearings and stainless steel fasteners in this reel are passive in water and do not release heavy metals or ions under freshwater or saltwater use.
Heavy metals
No recalls or test results indicate cadmium, lead, or other heavy metals in fasteners or bearings. Stainless steel in fishing reels typically meets ASTM standards for marine-grade alloys.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Berkley (owned by Pure Fishing, a subsidiary of Rapala VMC) does not publish detailed material safety or chemical composition disclosures for fishing reels. The brand has not faced documented product recalls or safety controversies related to chemical contamination in this product line. Berkley markets the reel as designed for freshwater and saltwater use, implying attention to corrosion and material durability, though no third-party certifications (e.g., environmental or toxicology) are publicly available for this specific model.
How it compares in its category
Fishing reels across brands rely on similar material palettes, aluminum, graphite, stainless steel, and occasionally plastic drag washers or o-rings. The LR20FD is a mid-range spinning reel with no known use of painted coatings, enamels, or chemical treatments that would introduce hazard classes seen in cookware or textiles. Compared to budget reels, this model's use of stainless steel bearings instead of painted steel reduces corrosion and leaching risk in saltwater environments.
If you buy it
Rinse the reel with fresh water after saltwater use to prevent corrosion and salt buildup on moving parts. Store in a dry environment to avoid moisture accumulation in the drag system. Replace drag washers if they become hardened or sticky (typically after 2-3 years of frequent use), as degraded washers can affect performance but pose no ingestion or skin hazard. Avoid exposing the reel to extreme heat (above 140F) to preserve graphite integrity, though normal sun and ambient temperatures pose no chemical release risk.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Berkley has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More fishing line grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.