PlanetBox Voyager Leakproof Lunch Box
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
The product information we reviewed describes stainless steel container, silicone seal gasket, with no water-repellent coating named. Water resistance on products like this usually comes from the material and its seals rather than a surface treatment. The brand has published no PFAS statement for it.
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 container, silicone seal gasket
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What PlanetBox Voyager Leakproof Lunch Box is made of, ingredients and materials
PlanetBox Voyager uses 18/8 stainless steel (also called 304 stainless), which is food-safe and does not leach into meals under normal storage. The seal relies on a silicone gasket, a synthetically produced rubber that is chemically inert at typical food storage temperatures and does not off-gas volatile compounds into food. Neither material requires a protective coating, so there is no risk of coating degradation releasing particles or hidden chemicals into the container over time. This design fundamentally avoids the leaching pathways present in coated ceramics, plastics with BPA or phthalates, or non-stick (Teflon-type coating) cookware.
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.
Silicone gasket degradation
Silicone seals degrade over time from repeated washing, heat cycles, and food-acid exposure. Once cracked or worn, a failed seal allows bacteria to colonize the groove, contaminating food and creating hygiene risk rather than chemical toxicity.
Stainless steel pitting (chronic use)
Prolonged storage of acidic foods (tomato, vinegar, citrus) can pit 304 stainless steel, creating microscopic corrosion. While pitting itself is not acutely toxic, it roughens the surface and may trap bacteria; risk is low with normal use and rotating foods.
Microplastic from gasket wear
Silicone is not plastic, but repeated compression and decompression can cause micro-flaking in very rare cases if the gasket is damaged or overstressed. Risk is minimal with normal use and proper maintenance but increases if the seal is cracked or forced.
Bacterial growth if seal fails
A leaking or poorly sealed container can harbor moisture and bacteria in crevices and the gasket channel. This is a hygiene and food-safety issue, not a chemical hazard, but is more likely as the gasket ages.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Nickel and chromium leaching (minimal risk)
18/8 stainless steel contains nickel (8%) and chromium (18%), both regulated food-contact materials. Leaching into food is extremely rare under normal storage; risk only rises if the surface is severely scratched or the container is new and repeatedly exposed to prolonged salt or acid immersion.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
PlanetBox has not issued a public PFAS statement, which is typical for stainless-steel lunch box manufacturers; silence on PFAS does not indicate contamination but reflects the category norm. The brand has no widely documented recalls or safety controversies on record for the Voyager or related products. PlanetBox markets durability and leak prevention as core selling points and has built reputation around reusable, non-disposable food containers. Without third-party certifications (e.g., NSF, FDA compliance statements) published on their website, there is no external verification of material sourcing or testing, though stainless steel and silicone are inherently lower-risk materials.
How it compares in its category
Stainless steel lunch boxes have lower concern related to polymer-based risks (BPA, phthalates, microplastics when heated) compared to plastic containers. The silicone gasket is preferable to vinyl or other elastomers, which may off-gas or degrade faster. Compared to ceramic or enamel-coated containers, stainless steel eliminates lead and cadmium leaching risks. The main trade-off is weight and cost; reusable stainless models are heavier and pricier than single-use plastic or lightweight aluminum, but offer lower chemical risk and longer lifespan.
If you buy it
Inspect the silicone gasket before first use and replace it every 12-18 months or if you see cracks, warping, or loss of seal tightness; a failed gasket reduces leak protection and may allow food particles to harden in the seal groove. Hand wash in warm soapy water rather than high-heat dishwasher to extend gasket life, though stainless steel itself tolerates both. Do not store acidic foods (vinegar, citrus, tomato sauce) for extended periods; while stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, prolonged contact with acids can pit the surface over decades. Ensure the lid closes fully and check the seal visually before packing to prevent leaks and keep the container microbe-free.
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
- Planetbox 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.