Bento Box Co · Food Storage Containers
Bento&co Signature Bento Box Picnic Lunch Box
Lower concern for typical bento box; no PFAS-prone coatings evident, but brand provides no explicit disclosure.
Bento&co's signature bento box appears to be a standard plastic/stainless compartmentalized lunch container without nonstick, water-resistant, or stain-treatment coatings that would typically require PFAS. The brand makes no claims about PFAS either way. No public lab data or recalls exist for this product.
Shop Bento Box Co on Amazon →Material
Plastic/polypropylene lunch box with stainless steel or plastic compartments
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Uncoated safe material
Bare, uncoated material (cast iron, stainless, carbon steel, or glass) with no surface treatment to contain PFAS.
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Bento&co Signature box is constructed primarily from polypropylene (PP), a thermoplastic polymer commonly used in food storage because it resists moisture and is microwave-safe at moderate temperatures. Polypropylene does not contain BPA or BPS as structural components; however, the safety of this product depends on the additives (colorants, stabilizers) mixed into the plastic and whether compartments are stainless steel or additional plastic. The stainless steel dividers (if present) eliminate leaching concerns for metal compartments; plastic dividers carry minimal hazard if PP grade is food-contact certified.
The brand's record and disclosure
Bento&co (also marketed as Bento Box Co) is a small consumer brand specializing in bento boxes and lunch containers. Public records show no major product recalls, safety controversies, or certifications prominently highlighted on their materials. The brand does not publish explicit third-party safety test results or material disclosure statements on their website or packaging, which is typical for smaller lunch-box manufacturers but reduces transparency. No evidence of formal certifications (FDA food-contact, BPA-free claims, etc.) is readily available, making independent verification difficult.
How it compares in its category
Polypropylene bento boxes are among the safer food storage options compared to older melamine containers or uncoated aluminum. They are comparable in safety to competitors like Sistema, Rubbermaid, and Bentgo, which also use PP and stainless steel. Unlike ceramic bento boxes (which may have lead in glazes) or bamboo/wood variants (which can harbor bacteria), PP bento boxes present lower material-inherent hazards. The main differentiator is brand transparency: larger manufacturers often publish test data; Bento&co does not, limiting assurance but not indicating higher risk.
If you buy it
Use this box for cold or room-temperature foods; avoid microwaving if lids are not explicitly labeled microwave-safe, as repeated heating can degrade polypropylene and potentially leach additives. Hand wash compartments to extend coating integrity; do not use harsh abrasives or dishwasher cycles above 55°C, which can degrade plastic over time. Replace the box if compartments become visibly worn, cracked, or discolored, as degradation increases leaching risk. Store away from direct sunlight and heat sources to slow plastic degradation and maintain compartment seals.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
BPA/BPS leaching
Polypropylene is not formulated with BPA or BPS as a base resin. No recalls or complaints associating this brand with BPA/BPS contamination are on record. Risk is minimal if used as intended for ambient and refrigerated food storage.
Phthalate plasticizers
Polypropylene does not require phthalates for flexibility, but some cheaper additives or inks may contain trace phthalates. Bento&co does not disclose supplier standards or additive specifications, so definitive absence cannot be confirmed. Heating or long-term storage of fatty foods may marginally increase leaching risk.
Microplastics from degradation
All polypropylene containers shed microplastics over time with wear, temperature cycling, and scratching. Bento boxes used daily for years will eventually fragment. This is not specific to Bento&co but inherent to the material class; mitigation is regular replacement (every 1-3 years with heavy use).
Colorant and additive safety
The brand does not publish material safety data sheets or confirm third-party food-contact testing of dyes and stabilizers used in colored boxes. Heavy metals in pigments (cadmium, lead) are possible but unlikely in mainstream plastic manufacturers; no complaints or recalls for Bento&co address this.
Stainless steel leaching (if applicable)
If compartments are true stainless steel (Type 304 or 316), leaching of nickel or chromium is negligible under normal use. If dividers are coated metal or lower-grade stainless, risk is minimal for short-term contact with dry or neutral-pH foods. No brand-specific data available.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
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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.