Liebherr · Refrigerator Filters
Liebherr ICB5160IM Combination Refrigerator/Freezer Water Filter - 988098000
Lower concern. Carbon and resin filters unlikely to contain PFAS.
This refrigerator water filter uses standard activated carbon and ion exchange resin filtration. No PFAS-specific claims or third-party verification available, but materials are inherently lower risk.
Shop Liebherr on Amazon →Material
Activated carbon, ion exchange resin, polypropylene housing
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This filter combines activated carbon (adsorbs chlorine, odors, some organic compounds), ion-exchange resin (removes hardness minerals), and a polypropylene housing and mesh. Polypropylene is a stable plastic resistant to leaching under cold water conditions; activated carbon is inert and food-contact approved in most jurisdictions. The resin is a polymer bead medium that does not dissolve into water under normal use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Liebherr is a European appliance manufacturer with ISO 9001 certification and does not publicly disclose specific material safety testing for aftermarket filters. No product recalls or safety warnings on record for this filter model. The brand does not publish PFAS reduction claims, but the filter's composition (activated carbon and resin) poses no known PFAS contamination vector.
How it compares in its category
Refrigerator filters are among the lower-risk consumables; this Liebherr model is OEM (original equipment manufacturer), which typically means tighter quality control than aftermarket alternatives. Comparable third-party filters use identical material types. The advantage of OEM is guaranteed fit and less risk of housing leaks; no material or safety advantage over other carbon/resin filters.
If you buy it
Replace every 6 months or per the appliance manual to prevent bacterial biofilm buildup in standing water within the filter cartridge. Do not attempt to clean or reuse; these filters are single-use. Store in a cool, dry place before installation. No special precautions needed during handling; standard water-filter hygiene applies (wash hands before installation, do not touch the inlet/outlet ports).
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.”
Bacterial growth in unmaintained filter
If left in place beyond recommended replacement interval, stagnant water in the carbon bed can support microbial colonies. This is a maintenance issue, not a material defect; regular 6-month replacement mitigates this entirely.
Polypropylene housing leachables
Polypropylene is chemically inert under cold-water conditions and food-contact approved; no documented leaching of plastic additives from this filter model or similar designs.
Activated carbon dust or particle shedding
New activated-carbon filters may release fine carbon particles into the first few liters of filtered water, a minor and self-limiting issue. Running water through the filter for 30 seconds before first use reduces this.
Ion-exchange resin beads migrating into water
The resin is retained by mesh screens within the cartridge; no reports of resin bead escape in properly installed OEM filters. Poor installation or cartridge damage could theoretically allow this; inspect the housing for cracks before use.
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 Refrigerator Filters
Kenmore
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✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Kenmore
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Clearly Filtered
Water Pitcher Replacement Filter 3-Pack
Activated carbon and ion-exchange resin filter media
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✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
More refrigerator filters 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.