Rubbermaid · Food Storage Containers
Rubbermaid Flex Seal 28-pc. Food Storage Set
Lower PFAS concern; standard rigid food storage containers without intentional coatings or treatments.
Rubbermaid Flex Seal containers are polypropylene plastic with polypropylene lids, base materials that don't inherently require PFAS. This product category typically carries lower PFAS risk than nonstick cookware or water-resistant textiles.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Polypropylene (PP) plastic lids and containers
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.
Microplastic generation from wear
Repeated mechanical stress from stacking, opening, and closing lids can cause microscopic wear on PP surfaces; risk is low under normal use but increases if containers are roughly handled or loaded into dishwashers frequently.
Oligomer leaching under heat or lipid contact
PP can release low-molecular-weight oligomers into fatty or acidic foods, especially if containers are microwave-heated or used for long-term storage of oils and dressings; risk is minimal at refrigerator temperatures with non-fatty foods.
Lid seal degradation
Consumer reports indicate that PP lids on mass-market storage sets can lose flexibility and sealing integrity after 1-3 years of regular use, reducing air-tight function but not creating a direct chemical hazard; replacement lids are typically available separately.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
BPA & bisphenols
Polypropylene formulations used in food storage are not synthesized with BPA or BPS; no recalls or test reports indicate contamination of this product line.
Source: FDA ↗Phthalate plasticizers
Polypropylene rigid containers do not require phthalates for their structural properties; this hazard is associated with flexible PVC and polyvinyl chloride, not PP.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This set uses polypropylene (PP, #5 plastic) for both containers and lids, a thermoplastic chosen for food storage because it has no BPA and resists degradation at normal kitchen temperatures. PP does not naturally contain phthalates or BPS, and rigid PP food containers do not shed microplastics under normal use or refrigeration. The main chemical concern with PP is that low-molecular-weight oligomers can migrate into food if containers are misused (extreme heat, repeated microwaving), but this is a design-use issue, not a material flaw.
The brand's record and disclosure
Rubbermaid (owned by Newell Brands) does not publicly disclose PFAS content or testing for food storage lines, which is typical of the industry standard. The brand has no major recalls specifically for chemical leaching from rigid plastic food containers in the last decade. Rubbermaid holds FDA compliance certifications for food-contact plastics and does not market these products as non-toxic or PFAS-free, suggesting no special treatment claims to verify.
How it compares in its category
Polypropylene rigid containers are the industry baseline for affordable food storage and rank lower for chemical leaching risk than flexible plastics or older polycarbonate designs. This 28-piece set pricing and material choice are typical for mass-market storage; glass alternatives eliminate polymer leaching entirely but at higher cost and breakage risk. Compared to vintage plastic containers from the 1990s-2000s, modern PP formulations have phased out the additives that posed the greatest leaching hazards.
If you buy it
Avoid microwaving food in these containers; use the microwave-safe designation only for reheating empty containers. Do not store fatty foods (oils, butters, salad dressings) or acidic foods (tomato sauce, citrus) long-term, as these can promote oligomer migration. Replace containers if lids crack, seals degrade, or containers become cloudy or brittle, which signals polymer breakdown. Hand wash or use the top rack of the dishwasher; high-heat cycles can shorten the lifespan of lids.
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.