Oxo Steel Pop Big Square Short - 2.8 Qt/2.6 l
Lower concern. Stainless steel with no coating on record.
OXO's steel pop container is stainless steel with no surface treatment on record. 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 container, no surface treatment
Lab data
No public lab test
What Oxo Steel Pop Big Square Short - 2.8 is made of, ingredients and materials
The OXO Pop container is constructed from food-grade stainless steel with no applied surface coatings, glazes, or enamels. Bare stainless steel is chemically inert and does not leach heavy metals, BPA, or other endocrine disruptors into stored food at room temperature. The locking polymer lid and seals are the only non-metal components; these are typically polypropylene or silicone, which carry minimal leaching risk for dry or room-temperature storage.
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.
Lid/gasket polymer leaching
The elastomer seals and polypropylene lid components are not explicitly detailed by OXO. Standard food-grade PP and silicone carry minimal BPA or phthalate risk, but composition is not publicly confirmed for this specific model.
Thermal stress and lid seal failure
Prolonged exposure to dishwasher heat or very hot food may degrade gasket materials over time, reducing airtight seal performance. This affects freshness retention rather than chemical safety.
Surface pitting from salt or acid
While not a health hazard, prolonged contact with salt water, vinegar, or citrus can cause visible corrosion in stainless steel if left unsealed for weeks. Buffering with occasional oil coating minimizes risk.
What’s reassuring
Bare uncoated material
Recorded as a bare, uncoated material with no surface coating or treatment.
Metal corrosion and leaching
Food-grade stainless steel (typically 18/8 or 18/10) does not leach nickel, chromium, or iron at room temperature under normal use. No reported incidents specific to this product.
Microplastic shedding
Stainless steel does not shed microplastics. Any risk would be limited to the silicone or PP gasket, which are stable at room temperature and do not fragment under normal handling.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
OXO has a longstanding reputation for consumer safety and food-contact product design, though the company does not publicly disclose detailed material certifications or third-party testing results for this specific product. No major safety recalls or contamination incidents have been reported for OXO steel food containers. The brand does not actively market PFAS-free status but benefits from the absence of non-stick coatings that would introduce that chemical class.
How it compares in its category
Stainless steel containers are not linked to BPA or phthalate concerns present in some polycarbonate plastics, and avoid the potential coating degradation risks of ceramic or glass with decorative glazes. They are more durable and chemically stable than sealed glass jars with lined metal lids, which may have internal enamel coatings. Cost is moderate; stainless steel is pricier than basic plastic but comparable to mid-range glass alternatives.
If you buy it
Stainless steel containers are suitable for dry goods, grains, and room-temperature storage indefinitely without risk of leaching. Avoid prolonged contact with strong acidic foods (vinegar, citrus) or salt solutions at room temperature, as stainless steel can corrode over decades with repeated exposure. Clean with mild soap and warm water; harsh chlorine cleaners may spot or pit the surface. Replace the silicone or polymer gasket if it becomes cracked, hardened, or discolored.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 85% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- OXO has made a specific claim
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.
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.