Ello · Lunch Boxes & Food Containers
Cello Stainless Steel Lunch
Lower PFAS concern. Bare stainless steel lunch container.
Ello Cello stainless steel lunch container is bare uncoated metal with no surface treatments identified. No PFAS risk typical for plain stainless food storage.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Stainless steel, bare uncoated
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Gasket and seal integrity
Lids often contain rubber or silicone gaskets which can degrade or absorb odors over time. Ello does not publicly specify gasket material composition; replacement seals should be sourced from the manufacturer to avoid introducing low-grade elastomers.
What’s reassuring
Uncoated safe material
Bare, uncoated material (cast iron, stainless, carbon steel, or glass) with no surface treatment to contain PFAS.
Coating degradation and leaching
Bare stainless steel has no interior coating to degrade, eliminating leaching risks from enamels or polymer liners that affect many coated food containers.
Heavy metals
Stainless steel alloys resist corrosion and do not leach metals into neutral or moderately acidic foods at room temperature or normal heating. No documented incidents reported for Ello stainless containers.
Source: FDA ↗Bacterial or microbial growth
Stainless steel's smooth, non-porous surface inhibits bacterial colonization better than many plastics or textured ceramics; no elevated food contamination risk if kept clean and dry.
Microplastic shedding
Bare stainless steel does not shed microplastics, in contrast to plastic or coated containers that may fragment with wear or heating.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This Ello lunch container is constructed from stainless steel with no interior coating, enamel, or polymer lining. Bare stainless steel is chemically inert at normal food storage and heating temperatures, meaning it does not leach metals or organic compounds into food. The material's stability is why stainless steel is standard in commercial food service and medical applications.
The brand's record and disclosure
Ello (a brand under Emerson Radio Corporation) does not publicly disclose detailed material sourcing, manufacturing standards, or third-party certifications for this product. No major safety recalls or contamination incidents are on record for Ello stainless steel food containers. The brand's silent stance on PFAS and chemical safety does not indicate hidden risk, but reflects minimal transparency compared to premium competitors.
How it compares in its category
Bare stainless steel lunch containers are among the safest options in food storage, alongside glass. They outperform coated metal containers (which risk enamel chipping and lead exposure), BPA-containing plastics, and some ceramic options with lead-glazed interiors. Stainless steel is more durable and scratch-resistant than most alternatives, which extends safe usable life.
If you buy it
Hand wash rather than dishwasher to preserve any external finish and seals. Avoid prolonged storage of acidic foods (vinegar, citrus) which may cause minor surface discoloration over years, though this does not affect safety. Inspect gaskets and seals annually for cracks; replace if damaged to maintain leak-proofing. Stainless steel has no temperature limits for normal food use.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Ello has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More lunch boxes & food containers 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.