Glad · Food Storage Containers
Glad GladWare Matchware Food Storage Containers, Value Pack - BPA Free Containers and Lids in a Variety of Sizes to Hold and Store Food Lock Tight
Lower PFAS concern; standard polypropylene food storage typically avoids intentional PFAS, but brand provides no transparency.
GladWare Matchware containers are made from polypropylene, a commodity plastic not typically formulated with PFAS for its core function. However, Glad offers no public statement about PFAS avoidance or testing. No third-party certification or lab data is available to confirm absence.
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Polypropylene (PP) food-grade plastic containers and lids
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 GladWare containers are made from polypropylene (PP, #5 plastic), a thermoplastic polymer chosen for food storage because it has a higher melting point (around 130°C) than softer plastics and does not intentionally incorporate BPA or phthalates in food-grade formulations. Polypropylene is generally considered one of the safer food-contact plastics by regulatory agencies including the FDA. The rigid plastic lids likely contain the same polypropylene or similar approved polymers. This material class does not require Teflon-type coating coatings and does not leach metals like glazed ceramics do.
The brand's record and disclosure
Glad has explicitly marketed these containers as BPA-free since the 2000s and has faced no major recalls or public contamination findings for this product line. The brand does not publish detailed material safety data sheets or independent third-party testing results on their website, which is typical for mid-market consumer goods but represents lower transparency than some premium alternatives. No established safety controversies exist on record for Glad food storage containers. The parent company (The Clorox Company) maintains compliance with FDA regulations but does not publicly disclose PFAS use in food-contact items.
How it compares in its category
GladWare sits in the mainstream segment of food storage alongside Rubbermaid, Snapware, and store-brand polypropylene containers. It offers equivalent safety margins to most major competitors in terms of plastic resin selection and BPA avoidance. Some premium brands (e.g., Pyrex glass, stainless steel containers) eliminate plastic risk entirely but at higher cost. GladWare's value-pack pricing reflects lower per-unit cost than glass alternatives, which appeals to budget-conscious households but includes the baseline risks of any plastic food contact.
If you buy it
Do not heat food in these containers in a microwave at maximum power for extended periods, as polypropylene can soften above 100°C and leach trace chemicals if damaged; use microwave-safe setting or transfer to glass. Replace containers if lids crack, seals degrade, or discoloration appears, as degraded polymers increase leaching risk. Store acidic foods (citrus, vinegar, tomato sauce) in glass when possible, as acid can accelerate microplastic shedding from plastic over months of contact. Hand wash or use gentle machine cycles; dishwasher heat cycling over years can shorten container lifespan and polymer integrity.
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.”
Microplastics from polymer degradation
Polypropylene can shed microplastics if scratched, heated repeatedly, or exposed to acidic/fatty foods for extended periods. Risk is low with normal use but increases with age and dishwasher cycles; no brand-specific data published.
Bisphenol A (BPA) and analogues
Glad explicitly labels these BPA-free and uses food-grade polypropylene that does not require BPA as a monomer. No recalls or contamination findings exist for this product line.
Phthalate plasticizers
Food-grade polypropylene (#5) does not typically require phthalates for flexibility; they are not intentionally added to rigid containers of this type. No reported incidents in Glad GladWare.
Polymer leachates from heat stress
Polypropylene melts around 130°C; microwave use or hot water above 80°C can accelerate release of residual monomers and additives. Risk is mitigated by avoiding extreme temperatures and replacing worn containers.
Lid seal degradation and bacterial growth
Repeated opening, closing, and washing can wear snap-fit seals over months; compromised seals reduce airtightness and may allow food spoilage or mold. Inspect seals regularly and replace if lids no longer grip tightly.
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.