Rubbermaid · Food Storage Containers
Rubbermaid Brilliance 20-Piece Food Storage Container Set
Lower concern for PFAS, but Rubbermaid has not publicly committed to PFAS-free manufacturing.
Rubbermaid Brilliance containers are rigid plastic without intentional nonstick or water-resistant coatings, the common PFAS risk points. Rubbermaid makes no public PFAS disclosure or commitment, leaving uncertainty despite the material. No independent lab testing is available.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Plastic polymer (polypropylene/copolyester blend) with clear lids
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Microplastics
Microwave use or prolonged exposure to temperatures above 160°F accelerates polypropylene breakdown and may release microscopic plastic particles into food. This risk is design-related, not manufacturing defect; containers are labeled for cold/room-temp storage only.
Source: EPA ↗Bacterial/mold growth from seal failure
Lids may lose airtight fit after repeated washing or thermal stress. Consumer reviews document occasional seal degradation within 1-2 years, creating conditions for foodborne pathogen or mold growth if contents are stored for extended periods.
Coating degradation and lid material leaching
Copolyester lids may degrade slightly with repeated dishwasher cycles or prolonged contact with acidic foods (vinegar, citrus), though polypropylene/copolyester blends are relatively resistant. No recalls or studies document significant leaching from this product under normal use.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
BPA & bisphenols
Polypropylene does not contain BPA or BPS by design. No evidence of BPA contamination in Rubbermaid Brilliance containers from manufacturing or recalls.
Source: FDA ↗Phthalates
Phthalates are not used in polypropylene or copolyester formulations for food-contact plastics. No reported presence in this product line.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Rubbermaid Brilliance containers are made from polypropylene (PP) copolymer plastic with clear copolyester lids. Polypropylene is one of the safer food-contact plastics: it does not contain BPA, has low leaching potential at room temperature, and is FDA-approved for food storage. The material becomes a concern only when heated above its design limits (typically 160-180°F for polypropylene), at which point polymer breakdown accelerates.
The brand's record and disclosure
Rubbermaid, owned by Newell Brands, does not publish detailed chemical composition disclosures or third-party certifications for this product line. The brand has faced no major recalls related to chemical leaching from Brilliance containers. Rubbermaid has not made public commitments to eliminate PFAS or other legacy chemicals, though no evidence suggests intentional use of either in this line.
How it compares in its category
Polypropylene-based food storage is a mainstream choice; Brilliance sits in the mid-range for consumer brands. Glass alternatives (Pyrex, Anchor Hocking) eliminate polymer concerns entirely but cost more and break. Stainless steel offers another path but is opaque. Among plastic options, polypropylene is safer than older polycarbonate (BPA risk) and comparable to other PP-based brands like Glad or Sistema.
If you buy it
Store only cold or room-temperature foods; do not microwave or place in boiling water. Hand-wash or use dishwasher on low heat to extend lid seal life, as thermal cycling degrades polymer clarity over 2-3 years. Replace containers if lids no longer seal tightly, as failed seals invite bacterial growth and mold. Keep away from strong oils, solvents, and prolonged direct sunlight, which accelerate minor leaching.
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
- Rubbermaid has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Food Storage Containers
Pyrex
Glass Meal Prep Set
borosilicate glass with metal lids (likely stainless steel or aluminum)
Metal lid corrosion and leaching
Limited concern
Silicone or rubber gasket degradation
Moderate concern
Thermal shock fracture from glass
Moderate concern
Lower PFAS concern; glass meal prep containers are inherently a safer material choice.
⚠Risky category by default
Pyrex
Freshlock 10-Piece Glass Storage Set
Borosilicate glass containers with plastic lids (PP/TPE closure material unspecified)
Microplastics
Limited concern
Additive migration from plastic lids
Limited concern
Glass breakage and physical injury
Moderate concern
Bacterial growth in degraded or poorly sealed lids
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; glass containers are inherently low-risk; check lid material if possible.
⚠Risky category by default
Pyrex
6-Piece Food Storage Container Set
borosilicate glass with plastic lids
Plastic lid degradation and replacement necessity
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from lids under heat stress
Limited concern
Undisclosed chemicals in lid coatings or gasket materials
Limited concern
Borosilicate glass breakage and cut hazard
Moderate concern
Lower PFAS concern; borosilicate glass containers pose minimal risk; plastic lids warrant standard caution.
⚠Risky category by default
More food storage containers 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.