Ello · Lunch Boxes & Food Containers
Lalo Bento Box
Lower concern bento box, but no PFAS transparency from brand.
Ello's Lalo bento boxes are food containers made from durable plastic marketed as BPA-free. Brand offers no public PFAS disclosure, and no independent lab data available.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
BPA-free plastic (Tritan or similar copolyester)
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.
Microplastics
Over time, gaskets and compartment walls may degrade with thermal cycling and detergent exposure, shedding microplastics into stored food. Risk is low with proper care (cool storage, hand-washing) but increases significantly if the container is microwaved or exposed to heat.
Source: EPA ↗Leaching from gaskets and hinges
Gaskets and hinge mechanisms often contain adhesives, elastomers, or coatings not specified in product marketing. No published data on leaching from Lalo-specific seals exists; risk is typical for compartmentalized plastic containers and increases with age and scratching.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
BPA & bisphenols
Lalo is explicitly marketed as BPA-free. Tritan copolyester does not inherently contain BPA or common BPS; however, no independent test results on this specific product are publicly available to confirm absence of other bisphenol analogues or estrogenic compounds.
Source: FDA ↗Phthalates
Tritan and similar copolyesters are not formulated with phthalate plasticizers (unlike PVC or some PET products). No recalls or reports of phthalate leaching from Lalo Bento Box are recorded.
Source: ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
No evidence that Lalo uses formaldehyde-releasing agents in its plastic or interior coatings. However, Ello does not disclose coating chemistry or manufacturing processes, so absence of public reports does not guarantee zero exposure.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Lalo Bento Box uses Tritan or similar BPA-free copolyester, a polyester blend designed to replace polycarbonate without bisphenol A. Tritan is generally considered more thermally stable and less prone to leaching than legacy plastics, though it remains a synthetic polymer. This material is suitable for cold and room-temperature food storage but has thermal limits around 70-80°C (160-180°F). The compartmentalized design reduces food contact with gaskets and hinges, which are common leaching points in food-storage containers.
The brand's record and disclosure
Ello (a subsidiary of Emerson Radio Holding Company) markets Lalo as a BPA-free, eco-conscious product line but has not published detailed material safety data sheets or independent third-party certifications (e.g., GREENGUARD, NSF). The brand maintains silent stance on PFAS use in coatings and manufacturing, which is typical for mid-market housewares but limits transparency. No major safety recalls or litigation specific to Lalo Bento Box containers are on public record as of available sources.
How it compares in its category
Tritan-based bento boxes occupy a middle ground: they avoid BPA/BPS but lack the chemical transparency of glass or stainless-steel alternatives. Compared to legacy polycarbonate lunch containers, Tritan products show less evidence of estrogen-like leaching in published studies, though long-term human data remains limited. Glass bento boxes offer zero leaching risk but are heavier and breakable; this product trades durability and portability for slightly higher chemical uncertainty.
If you buy it
Keep contents cold or at room temperature; do not microwave or fill with hot liquids above 70°C. Hand-wash with mild detergent and inspect gaskets annually for cracks, discoloration, or cloudiness, which indicate polymer degradation and increased leaching risk. Replace every 2-3 years if used daily, sooner if seals no longer seal tightly. Avoid prolonged storage of acidic foods (citrus, vinegar, tomato) in direct contact with the plastic, as acid can accelerate leaching.
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
- 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.