Cello Stainless Steel Lunch
Lower concern. Bare stainless steel lunch container with no coating on record.
Ello Cello stainless steel lunch container is recorded as bare uncoated metal with no surface treatments identified. The brand has no PFAS statement on record.
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
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What Cello Stainless Steel Lunch is made of, ingredients and materials
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.
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.
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
Bare uncoated material
Recorded as a bare, uncoated material with no surface coating or treatment.
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.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
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 not a material linked to PFAS, similar to 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 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 is not known about PFAS in this product?
- 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.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Cello Stainless Steel Lunch?
Klean Kanteen
Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Food Canister Container with Leak Proof Lid
- Stainless steel body, silicone gasket lid seal
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Silicone gasket degradation
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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.