Prepara Latchlok Click Stainless Steel Container
Lower concern. Stainless steel container with no known PFAS-risk coatings.
Prepara's stainless steel food container has no nonstick coating or water-repellent finish typical of PFAS products. Silicone gasket and plastic latch are lower concern unless they contain Teflon-family coating, which is not disclosed.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
stainless steel, plastic latch and silicone gasket
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Prepara Latchlok Click Stainless Steel is made of, ingredients and materials
The container body is stainless steel, a non-reactive metal that does not leach into food at any temperature or pH typical of storage. The latch mechanism is plastic (material type not specified in available product documentation), and the seal is silicone. Silicone is inert at food-contact temperatures and does not degrade into microplastics or release endocrine disruptors under normal refrigeration or room-temperature storage. Stainless steel avoids the aluminum leaching, ceramic glaze contamination, and Teflon-type coating off-gassing concerns that affect other food containers.
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 gaskets can absorb odors, stain, and harden over many years of repeated heating and cooling cycles. Degradation does not release toxic compounds but may compromise seal integrity, allowing food contact with air or moisture.
Bacterial growth in gasket crevices
Silicone gaskets can harbor bacteria if not cleaned thoroughly between uses, especially if stored wet or in high-humidity conditions. This is a maintenance issue, not a material flaw; daily rinsing and air-drying mitigates risk.
What’s reassuring
Bare uncoated material
Recorded as a bare, uncoated material with no surface coating or treatment.
Plastic latch material composition
Prepara does not publicly specify the polymer type (ABS, polypropylene, acetal, etc.). No BPA, phthalate, or antimicrobial additive content is documented. Absence of specification does not indicate a hazard, but limits verification of additive safety.
Stainless steel leaching
Food-grade stainless steel (typically 18/8 or 304 alloy) does not leach nickel, chromium, or iron at pH levels and temperatures of normal food storage. No established risk at household use.
Microplastic generation
Stainless steel and silicone do not fragment into microplastics under normal use, washing, or heating. Plastic latch is rigid and contact with food is minimal.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Prepara does not publicly disclose third-party testing (NSF, FDA, BPA-free certification) in widely available marketing materials. No recalls or safety violations on record for this product line. The brand's silence on PFAS stance reflects a common pattern among smaller housewares manufacturers; absence of disclosure is not evidence of PFAS presence. No established controversies or regulatory actions identified.
How it compares in its category
Stainless steel food containers occupy a lower-hazard position than plastic-primary alternatives (which carry BPA, BPS, and phthalate risks) and ceramic vessels (which may have lead-glazed finishes). Glass containers match this safety profile but are heavier and break easily. The Latchlock's plastic latch is a minor compromise compared to all-metal latches, but silicone gaskets are standard across premium food-storage brands and carry no established safety concerns at food-contact temperatures.
If you buy it
Do not expose the container to temperatures above 180 degrees Celsius (356 Fahrenheit), as the silicone gasket may degrade and the plastic latch could warp. Hand-wash rather than dishwasher to extend gasket life; silicone can absorb odors and staining over time but is not a safety issue. Inspect the gasket annually for cracks, tears, or hardening; replace it if visible damage occurs. Stainless steel does not require seasoning and will not rust under normal kitchen conditions.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Prepara 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.
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.