Igloo 18 Cans/12qt Hard Sided
Lower concern, but brand discloses nothing about PFAS.
Igloo coolers use injection-molded polyethylene and polyurethane foam, materials with lower inherent PFAS risk. No public PFAS disclosure from Igloo; no independent lab testing found.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic body
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Igloo 18 Cans/12qt Hard Sided is made of, ingredients and materials
This cooler's body is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a rigid thermoset plastic commonly used in beverage bottles and food containers. PET is a material not linked to readily leaching BPA or phthalates under normal storage conditions (room temperature, no heating). The interior lining and seals may contain elastomers or secondary polymers, but no known issue specific to Igloo's construction has been documented.
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
Long-term physical wear, UV degradation, or impacts can cause microscopic PET fragments to shed into stored food or water, particularly if the interior surface becomes scratched or compromised. No widespread documented issue, but risk increases with age and use intensity.
Source, EPA ↗Bacterial and mold growth in seals
Hard-sided coolers routinely accumulate moisture and organic debris in gaskets and drain plug areas if not dried and cleaned regularly. This is a maintenance issue rather than a manufacturing hazard, but affects food safety over time.
Odor/off-gassing from new unit
New PET coolers may emit mild plastic odors for the first few uses, particularly if stored in warm conditions. This typically dissipates after airing and is not indicative of a safety hazard.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
BPA & bisphenols
PET does not contain BPA or BPS as a formulation ingredient and does not leach these compounds under normal cold-storage use. Risk is absent under intended conditions.
Source, FDA ↗Phthalates
PET itself does not contain phthalate plasticizers. Seals or closure gaskets are the only potential source, but no contamination or leaching has been reported for Igloo coolers.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Igloo does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or mitigation efforts for this product line. The company has no known recalls related to chemical hazards in hard-sided coolers. As a major US cooler manufacturer, Igloo meets FDA food-contact material standards, but transparency about PFAS or other emerging chemical use is absent from publicly available sources.
How it compares in its category
Hard-sided PET coolers represent a middle-ground choice, lower concern than foam coolers (which can shed microbeads) and with comparable chemical hazard profiles to stainless-steel alternatives. PET coolers typically have fewer off-gassing concerns than soft-sided vinyl or polyethylene models. Igloo's market position and price point reflect standard manufacturing practices with no documented chemical advantage or disadvantage versus competitors like Coleman or Rubbermaid.
If you buy it
Do not store hot food or liquids above 60 degrees C (140 F) in the cooler, as prolonged heat can degrade PET and increase any leaching risk. Clean interior regularly with mild soap and dry thoroughly to prevent mold or bacterial growth in seals and crevices. Replace the cooler if the plastic becomes visibly cloudy, cracked, or the lining peels, as these signal material degradation. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight when not in use, as UV exposure can weaken PET over time.
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
- Igloo 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.