Contigo Kids Insulated Reusable Lunch Box - Skateboards Later Skater
Likely lower concern, but Contigo does not disclose PFAS status.
Lunch boxes typically use plastic and textile with no stated water-repellent finish. No PFAS information from brand. No lab data available for this model.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
plastic exterior, fabric interior lining
Lab data
No public lab test
What Contigo Kids Insulated Reusable Lunch Box is made of, ingredients and materials
Contigo Kids lunch boxes use polypropylene (PP) or similar rigid food-contact plastics for the exterior shell, chosen for durability and thermal insulation properties. The interior fabric lining is typically polyester or cotton blend, not a coating applied to the plastic. PP is stable under normal food storage and moderate heat exposure (up to ~100°C), with no established leaching of BPA or BPS in products manufactured after 2010 compliance with FDA food-contact rules.
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.
Microplastics
Repeated dishwashing, scratching, or UV exposure can degrade PP surfaces over years, potentially releasing microplastics into stored food. Risk is low with normal use but increases if the box is dropped, cracked, or left in sunlight for extended periods.
Source, EPA ↗Bacterial or mold growth in fabric lining
The fabric interior creates crevices and moisture traps that rigid single-material containers avoid. Inadequate drying or washing, or storage with residual damp food, can promote mold or bacterial biofilm, especially in seams.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
BPA & bisphenols
Contigo's PP-based lunch boxes are not on record for BPA or BPS release. Polypropylene itself does not contain these compounds; no recalls or test reports document leaching into food in this product line.
Source, FDA ↗Phthalates
No phthalate-related recalls or manufacturer advisories exist for Contigo kids' lunch boxes. Polyester fabric lining may be treated with softeners or dyes, but typical children's apparel/textile standards apply; no product-specific data on phthalate migration into food is available.
Source, ATSDR ↗Thermal leaching from heat exposure
Contigo lunch boxes are not insulated with hot liquids; they are designed for cold/ambient food storage. No data suggests leaching at room temperature or refrigerator temperature. Microwave use is not recommended by manufacturer to avoid fabric damage and uneven heating.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Contigo is owned by Thermos L.L.C. and markets heavily to parents, emphasizing leak-proof design and durability. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS use or testing on this product line. No formal product safety recalls specific to BPA, phthalates, or heavy metals in Contigo kids' lunch boxes appear in CPSC or FDA databases. Contigo provides no third-party certifications (e.g., non-toxic, BPA-free labeling) on typical retail listings.
How it compares in its category
Reusable plastic lunch boxes are a lower-risk food storage category compared to melamine or decorative glazed ceramics, which carry cadmium or lead hazards. This product sits midrange for disclosure standards; many competitors explicitly claim BPA-free status or offer stainless steel alternatives without plastic-food contact. Fabric-lined boxes avoid the leaching risks of metal food-contact surfaces but require more maintenance than rigid single-material designs.
If you buy it
Hand wash the plastic exterior and fabric lining separately; do not microwave the assembled lunch box, as fabric may retain heat unevenly. Replace if exterior develops cracks, deep scratches, or visible discoloration that could harbor bacteria or indicate material degradation. Wash the fabric lining monthly or after wet food contact to prevent mold and mildew, especially in the seams where moisture accumulates. Do not leave with damp food inside for extended periods.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Contigo has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More lunch boxes 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.