Ello Benni Hot/Cold Food Storage Container with Charms
Lower concern for food storage, but no PFAS disclosure from brand.
Ello's food containers are typically BPA-free plastic without known nonstick or water-resistant coatings, reducing typical PFAS risks. Brand makes no public PFAS statement; independent lab data unavailable.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
BPA-free plastic food container with charms
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Ello Benni Hot/Cold Food Storage Charms is made of, ingredients and materials
Ello Benni uses BPA-free plastic (likely polypropylene or copolyester based on brand specifications for hot/cold dual-use). BPA-free labeling means the estrogen-mimicking bisphenol A has been replaced, typically with BPS or other bisphenols that carry similar but less-studied endocrine concerns. The container includes decorative charms (usually plastic or silicone attachments) that introduce a secondary material complexity. Dual-temperature claims imply the base plastic and seals must tolerate both refrigeration and warm foods without degrading or leaching.
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.
BPA & bisphenols
BPA-free does not mean bisphenol-free; replacement bisphenols (BPS, BPF) are chemically similar and may leach into food under warm or prolonged contact, though leaching rates are generally lower than original BPA formulations and regulatory thresholds are met for food-contact approval.
Source, FDA ↗Microplastics
Repeated washing, thermal cycling, and physical stress (especially at attachment points where charms connect) can cause microcracking and shedding of plastic particles into stored food. Charmed variants carry higher degradation risk at connection points due to stress concentration and gap accumulation.
Source, EPA ↗Seal and gasket degradation
Ello containers with locking or clip seals occasionally develop loss of airtight integrity after 12-24 months of regular use, reducing food preservation efficacy and potentially allowing bacterial growth if used for extended refrigerated storage. Replacement seals are available separately but not always in stock.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Phthalates
No published reports of phthalates in Ello food containers; however, some polypropylene copolyester blends may include plasticizers not fully disclosed. Likelihood is low if product carries FDA food-contact certification, but brand does not publicly confirm phthalate-free status.
Source, ATSDR ↗Lead
No recalls or test failures reported for Ello charm materials; however, charms are often manufactured separately from the primary container and may bypass food-contact material standards if composed of non-food-grade painted metal or plastic. Visual inspection for peeling paint or discoloration is prudent.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Ello (owned by Lifefactory/Ello Ventures) markets aggressively toward BPA-free positioning but does not publicly disclose alternative bisphenol chemistry or third-party food-contact certifications on most product lines. No major recalls for Ello food containers have been documented in FDA or CPSC records as of available data. The brand's silence on PFAS, phthalates, or secondary plasticizer chemistry is typical for mid-tier food-storage brands and reflects an industry gap rather than a specific controversy.
How it compares in its category
Ello Benni sits in the mainstream food-storage market alongside brands like Rubbermaid, OXO, and Sistema. Most BPA-free plastic containers at this price point use comparable polymer blends without stronger transparency standards. Glass or stainless-steel alternatives eliminate polymer leaching entirely but sacrifice the durability-to-cost ratio and insulation properties Ello claims. Ello's charm accessory differentiates on aesthetics but adds a maintenance and replacement liability (loose small parts, potential wear on attachment points).
If you buy it
Use for cold or room-temperature storage; avoid prolonged contact with hot liquids above 70-80C (manufacturer specs vary; check label). Do not microwave unless explicitly labeled microwave-safe. Hand wash preferred over dishwasher to extend seal life and reduce thermal stress on seals and charms. Inspect charms quarterly for cracks, looseness, or discoloration; replace the container if the base develops cloudiness, cracks, or persistent odor (signs of polymer degradation). Store away from direct sunlight and do not reuse for non-food purposes.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% 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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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.