Zojirushi · Insulated Drink Tumblers
Zojirushi SX- SX-FSE45AD Stainless Vacuum Insulated Tumbler
Lower concern; no nonstick or water-resistant coatings present.
Zojirushi vacuum tumbler uses stainless steel construction without known Teflon-family coating coatings. No PFAS risk signals appear in standard product materials.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
stainless steel body, glass or plastic inner walls
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 liner degradation (if applicable)
Some regional versions use food-grade plastic (likely PP or copolyester) instead of glass. Prolonged exposure to hot liquids or repeated thermal stress may cause microscopic plastic particles to enter beverages after years of use, though risk is low with normal cold/tepid use.
Rubber/silicone seal breakdown
Lids contain elastomer gaskets that can absorb odors, harbor bacteria if not cleaned weekly, and degrade after 2-3 years. Degradation itself is not a leaching hazard but compromises the vacuum seal, reducing insulation and potentially allowing mold growth in the cavity.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Heavy metals
Food-grade stainless steel (typically 18/8 or 18/10 alloy) is required by law in most regions and does not leach nickel, chromium, or manganese into beverages under normal pH and temperature. No recalls or reports of this issue with Zojirushi tumblers on record.
Source: FDA ↗Borosilicate glass integrity (if glass liner)
If this model uses borosilicate glass, it is thermally stable and does not leach silica or barium under normal use. Risk of breakage on impact is mechanical, not chemical; no contamination hazard if glass fractures unless sharp fragments enter beverage.
Coating adhesion or off-gassing
Zojirushi does not use Teflon-type coating or nonstick interior coatings on this model line. The stainless exterior may have a thin cosmetic powder coat or paint, which poses no food-contact risk due to physical distance from beverage chamber.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The SX-FSE45AD features a stainless steel outer shell with either borosilicate glass or food-grade plastic inner walls (models vary by region; check yours). Stainless steel is chemically stable and does not leach into beverages under normal use. The vacuum insulation layer between walls is typically air or inert gas, not a chemical additive of concern. This design avoids aluminum direct contact with liquids and eliminates nonstick coatings that could degrade.
The brand's record and disclosure
Zojirushi is a Japanese appliance manufacturer with a 100-year history and strong reputation for food-safety compliance in North America, EU, and Japan. The company does not publicly trumpet PFAS-free claims but maintains ISO certifications for food-contact materials and has no documented recalls linked to chemical leaching. Limited transparency on full material sourcing, but no substantive controversies in peer or regulatory records regarding this product line.
How it compares in its category
This tumbler is among the safer vacuum-insulated drink containers because stainless steel + glass/plastic inner avoids common hazards in cheaper models (e.g. lead in ceramic glazes, Teflon-type coating degradation). Comparable brands like Contigo and Hydro Flask use similar designs; Zojirushi's build quality and lack of chemical coatings place it in the lower-risk segment. Price reflects durability rather than premium material sourcing claims.
If you buy it
Hand-wash only if the model has a removable plastic lid or seal; the stainless steel body can go in dishwasher but seals may degrade. Do not use for hot liquids above 60-65C (140-150F) for extended periods if it has a plastic inner liner, as prolonged heat can increase microscopic plastic shedding over years. Replace rubber or silicone gaskets every 2-3 years if they show cracks or discoloration. Do not store acidic beverages (vinegar, citrus) for days at a time in plastic-lined versions, as acids can slightly soften polymer over time.
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
- Zojirushi has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Insulated Drink Tumblers
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Zojirushi
Stainless Tumbler
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Seal/gasket degradation and microbial growth
Limited concern
Nickel sensitivity or leaching
Limited concern
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✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
More insulated drink tumblers 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.