Glad · Food Storage Containers
Glad Food Storage Containers Family Size Container
Lower PFAS concern; rigid food-storage PP containers rarely use PFAS coatings, but Glad discloses nothing.
Glad Food Storage Containers are rigid polypropylene, a basic plastic not typically treated with Teflon-family coating or PFAS coatings. Glad makes no public PFAS disclosure or claims. No independent lab data or third-party verification is publicly available for this product line.
Shop Glad on Amazon →Material
polypropylene (PP) plastic
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Glad Food Storage Containers are rigid polypropylene (PP, #5 plastic), a thermoplastic chosen for its durability, temperature resistance up to ~100°C, and FDA approval for repeated food contact. PP does not contain BPA or phthalates by formulation, and rigid PP rarely requires plasticizers that would leach into food. The material becomes brittle over years of UV and thermal cycling, but this degrades the container mechanically rather than releasing toxins into stored food.
The brand's record and disclosure
Glad (part of Clorox portfolio) does not publicly disclose full chemical formulations or third-party certifications specific to these containers. The brand meets FDA food-contact compliance but provides no sustainability reports, recycled-content transparency, or formal statements on additives like colorants or processing aids. No significant recalls or safety controversies are on record for Glad rigid food-storage containers in the US market. The company's silence on PFAS mirrors most of the rigid food-container industry.
How it compares in its category
Glad rigid PP containers are mainstream and competitively positioned; they perform identically to store-brand and higher-end rigid PP alternatives in terms of material safety. Unlike flexible plastic wrap or bags (which can leach more readily), rigid thermoformed containers have lower surface area relative to mass and more stable chemistry during normal refrigerator storage. Glass or stainless-steel alternatives eliminate leaching risk entirely but cost more and break easily.
If you buy it
Store food at or below 4°C (refrigerator temperature); do not microwave these containers unless labeled microwave-safe, as PP can warp above ~100°C and may release oligomers. Avoid prolonged contact with fatty or acidic foods at elevated temperatures, which can accelerate minor leaching of processing residues. Replace containers every 2-3 years or if the plastic becomes cloudy, cracked, or discolored, as degraded material may shed particles. Hand-wash rather than dishwasher-wash to extend life and reduce thermal stress.
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 and phthalates
Polypropylene rigid containers do not require BPA, BPS, or phthalate plasticizers by chemistry or regulation. No trace contamination has been reported in food-storage PP containers from major brands.
Microplastic shedding
Repeated thermal cycling (freezer to room temperature) or mechanical wear from utensils and dishwashers can cause microscopic PP fragments to degrade and potentially contaminate food over years. Risk is low during normal refrigerator storage but increases with age and rough handling.
Additive leaching (colorants, processing aids)
PP containers may contain trace pigments, UV stabilizers, or processing residues that are FDA-approved but not fully disclosed. Leaching of these compounds into food is minimal at refrigeration temperature and does not pose documented health risk, but long-term exposure data is limited.
Thermal degradation if misused
Heating PP containers above 100°C (e.g., in microwave or oven) can cause the plastic to soften, warp, and release oligomers or volatile compounds. This is avoidable by following use guidelines and is not a risk during intended refrigerator storage.
Coating or ink residues on exterior
Glad containers typically have minimal ink or label adhesive on food-contact surfaces. No contamination from printing inks or adhesives has been documented for this product category when used as directed.
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.
Safer alternatives in Food Storage Containers
Caraway
Food Storage Set
Glass containers with plastic lids
Lower concern; glass + plastic lids with stated PFAS-free position, but no third-party verification of lid material.
⚠Risky category by default
Caraway
Home 9-Piece Mini Food Storage Set
Borosilicate glass containers with plastic lids
Lower-concern option; glass containers avoid PFAS coatings, but verify lid material before purchase.
⚠Risky category by default
Caraway
Cream 6.6-Cup Non-Stick Glass Food Storage Container with Lid
borosilicate glass with non-PFAS lid
Lower PFAS concern, glass container with stated non-PFAS lid, though third-party verification absent.
⚠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.