OXO Steel POP Container Rectangle
Lower concern. Plastic food container, no PFAS-typical triggers identified.
OXO POP containers use BPA-free copolyester plastic with no reported water-resistant or non-stick coatings. No public PFAS claims or third-party testing available, but material composition poses lower inherent risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
BPA-free plastic (copolyester), stainless steel latch
Lab data
No public lab test
What OXO Steel POP Container Rectangle is made of, ingredients and materials
The OXO POP Container uses a proprietary BPA-free copolyester plastic for the main body, paired with stainless steel latches and a polypropylene lid gasket. Copolyester is a durable, food-contact-safe polymer chosen specifically to avoid bisphenol A and its analogues. This material does not soften at normal refrigerator or room temperatures and resists typical kitchen acids and oils without degrading into problematic compounds.
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Microplastics
Any rigid plastic degrades microscopically over years of mechanical stress, scratching, and thermal cycling. The risk is low if the container is hand-washed gently and not subjected to extreme temperature swings, but long-term microscopic shedding cannot be entirely ruled out in any plastic vessel.
Source, EPA ↗Gasket material degradation (polypropylene)
The polypropylene gasket can harden, crack, or lose elasticity after 2-3 years of regular dishwasher use or exposure to acidic foods. A compromised gasket loses its seal function but poses no direct chemical hazard; replacement gaskets are widely available and inexpensive.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
BPA & bisphenols
OXO explicitly formulates this container without BPA. No reports of BPA or BPS leaching into food or liquid contents. Copolyester backbone does not require bisphenol A in synthesis.
Source, FDA ↗Phthalates
Copolyester does not require phthalates for flexibility; it is inherently rigid. No historical complaints or test evidence of phthalate migration from this product line into food or water.
Source, ATSDR ↗Leachables from stainless steel latch or hardware
Stainless steel (typically 18/8 or 304 grade) is corrosion-resistant and does not leach nickel, chromium, or iron into dry food at normal storage temperatures. No public reports of metal contamination from OXO POP latches.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
OXO has not published explicit statements on PFAS avoidance in marketing, though the company maintains compliance with FDA food-contact regulations and does not list PFAS-bearing ingredients in available product documentation. No recalls or safety complaints for this specific container line appear in public databases. The brand's general approach emphasizes durability and safety certification over transparency on specific chemical avoidance.
How it compares in its category
This container ranks well within its category of rigid plastic food-storage vessels. Unlike older polycarbonate designs, it avoids BPA outright. Compared to borosilicate glass alternatives, it offers better impact resistance and lighter weight, though glass poses no leaching risk. Versus flexible silicone or cheaper polypropylene-only containers, copolyester provides superior longevity and clarity without the softening or clouding that affects lower-grade plastics over time.
If you buy it
Hand wash the container and lid in warm soapy water; while dishwasher-safe, hand washing extends the life of the gasket seal. Do not use for hot foods or boiling liquids, as copolyester is not heat-resistant above approximately 140-160°F (depending on formulation). Replace the gasket seal if it becomes cracked, hardened, or visibly degraded, as this compromises the airtight seal and is inexpensive. Store in a cool, dry cupboard away from direct sunlight to prevent long-term brittleness.
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
- 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.
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.