Thermos · Insulated Travel Mugs
Thermos Icon 16 oz Stainless Steel Tumbler
Lower concern; stainless steel tumbler has no known PFAS risk.
Thermos Icon is a stainless steel tumbler with inherently PFAS-free core materials. No brand PFAS disclosure exists, but material composition poses minimal concern.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Stainless steel interior, BPA-free plastic exterior
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.
Plastic exterior degradation and microplastic shedding
The outer plastic shell can crack, peel, or degrade with impact or prolonged UV exposure, potentially releasing microplastics. No documented cases reported for this specific model, but normal wear risk for any external polymer.
Silicone gasket bacterial or mold growth
The silicone seal on the lid can harbor bacteria or mold if not dried thoroughly after each use. This is a maintenance issue, not a manufacturing defect, but common to all reusable tumbler designs.
What’s reassuring
Uncoated safe material
Bare cast iron, stainless steel, carbon steel, or glass with no PFAS coating.
BPA & bisphenols
Thermos markets this as BPA-free but does not disclose what replacement plastic is used (BPS, BPF, or other bisphenol variants are common alternatives). No reports of leaching from the exterior plastic in normal use; low risk because exterior does not contact liquid.
Source: FDA ↗Stainless steel leaching (nickel, chromium)
Food-grade stainless steel (18/8) is highly resistant to corrosion and does not leach detectable nickel or chromium under normal beverage use. Long-term exposure to acidic liquids (e.g., lemon water, vinegar) is theoretically possible but not documented as a practical risk for this product.
Lid and gasket material composition
Lid material is typically polypropylene or ABS plastic; gasket is silicone. Neither is routinely tested or reported to leach harmful compounds at the temperatures of typical hot or cold beverages. No independent testing results are publicly available for this specific model.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Thermos Icon 16 oz uses food-grade stainless steel (typically 18/8) for the interior, which is chemically inert and does not leach metals or compounds into beverages at normal use temperatures. The exterior is a hard plastic shell marketed as BPA-free; this is a low-migration application since the exterior does not contact the liquid. The lid is typically plastic with a silicone gasket, which poses minimal leaching risk under normal use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Thermos has not published specific PFAS or chemical disclosures for this model, but the company has maintained a low-controversy profile in the insulated drinkware category. The BPA-free claim is standard marketing; no independent recalls or safety violations are on public record for this product line. Thermos does not list third-party certifications (e.g., NSF, FDA registration) in widely available product literature for this consumer model.
How it compares in its category
Stainless steel tumblers like this are considered a safer choice than plastic-lined or coated alternatives because the interior contact surface is chemically stable and non-reactive. Most competitors in this price and size range (e.g., Hydro Flask, S'well, generic stainless steel tumblers) use the same core design. The main differentiation is durability of the plastic shell and insulation performance, not chemical safety.
If you buy it
Hand wash the lid and gasket regularly to prevent mold or bacterial buildup in the silicone seal. Avoid prolonged exposure to boiling liquids or very hot dishwashers, which may degrade the plastic shell or gasket over time. Inspect the exterior plastic for cracks or peeling; replace if the seal is compromised. Do not microwave; do not use bleach-based cleaners on the gasket.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Thermos has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More insulated travel mugs 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.