Bentgo Kids Stainless Steel Leak Resistant Lunch Box
Stainless steel core is lower concern; seal composition unclear.
Stainless steel lunch box itself poses lower PFAS risk. Leak-resistant gasket/seal material not disclosed by brand, common source of PFAS in food containers.
The better-graded swap
304 Stainless Steel Refrigerator Sealed Pyxis L Size Rectangular Bento Pyxis Lunch Pyxis With Lid Organizer
80/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
stainless steel with leak-resistant gasket/seal
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Bentgo Kids Stainless Steel Leak is made of, ingredients and materials
The Bentgo Kids lunch box uses a stainless steel body, which is chemically inert and does not leach metals or BPA into food under normal conditions. The primary chemical risk lies in the leak-resistant gasket and seals, which are typically silicone or rubber compounds whose exact composition Oggi does not publicly disclose. Stainless steel itself is food-safe and widely recommended for storage; the concern shifts entirely to non-metal components and any coatings applied to seams or closures.
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
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.
PFAS
Leak-resistant gaskets often contain PFAS-based water and grease repellents; Oggi's silence on composition means PFAS exposure cannot be ruled out, though the sealed design limits direct contact with food if gasket remains intact.
Source, ATSDR ↗Bacterial and mold growth in gasket grooves
Users have documented mold growth in poorly maintained gasket channels on similar leak-proof lunch boxes; regular disassembly and drying are essential to prevent microbial colonization.
Gasket degradation and loss of seal integrity
Silicone and rubber gaskets degrade with repeated thermal cycling, UV exposure, and acidic foods; loss of seal can lead to food contamination and packing leaks over 2-3 years of use.
What’s reassuring
BPA & bisphenols
No public recalls or reports of BPA leaching from Bentgo Kids stainless models; however, without material disclosure, presence of BPA in secondary components cannot be fully excluded.
Source, FDA ↗Heavy metals
Food-grade stainless steel is passivated to prevent leaching; no documented cases of nickel or chromium migration from Bentgo Kids under normal use, though prolonged storage of acidic foods theoretically poses minimal risk.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Oggi does not publish detailed material safety data, third-party testing results, or formal PFAS mitigation statements for the Bentgo Kids line. The brand has not faced documented recalls or safety controversies related to this specific product as of available public records. Without transparency on gasket composition or manufacturing standards, consumers cannot verify whether the seals meet stringent PFOA/PFOS limits, which is the source of the Poor PFAS grade.
How it compares in its category
Stainless steel lunch containers rank among the safer food-storage options because the metal itself does not shed BPA, phthalates, or microplastics. Many competing plastic lunch boxes (including some Bentgo models) carry higher BPA/BPS risk if used with hot foods or over time. However, competitors like Klean Kanteen and Hydro Flask often disclose gasket materials more openly, giving consumers clearer chemical profiles.
If you buy it
Avoid filling with very hot foods straight from the stove, as heat can stress gasket seals and accelerate any potential leaching. Hand-wash the gaskets and dry thoroughly after each use to prevent mold and bacterial growth in the seal grooves. Replace the gasket every 1-2 years of regular use, as silicone and rubber degrade over time and may lose water-tight integrity. Do not microwave; if you need warm food, transfer to a microwave-safe container and return to the steel box once cooled.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 65% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Oggi has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Lunch Boxes
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. See all of them.
Snapware
Meal Box Glass
- borosilicate glass
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Leaching from glass matrix or lid seals
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
OXO
Steel Pop Big Square Short - 2.8 Qt/2.6 l
- Stainless steel container, no surface treatment
- Lid/gasket polymer leaching
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
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.