Lock & Lock · Food Storage Containers
Easy Essentials 10-Piece Food Storage Container Set
Lower concern, rigid plastic food storage without known PFAS-prone coatings, but no brand disclosure.
Lock & Lock's Easy Essentials containers are made from polypropylene plastic, which does not inherently require fluorinated coatings for food storage function. The brand provides no public statement on PFAS. Public records show no PFAS-related recalls.
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Polypropylene (PP) plastic containers
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
Lock & Lock Easy Essentials containers are polypropylene (PP plastic, resin code 5), a rigid thermoplastic chosen for food storage because it resists cracking and is microwave-safe at moderate temperatures. PP does not leach BPA or BPS by design, as these chemicals are not part of its polymer backbone. The main chemical risk with PP is migration of residual monomers or processing aids if containers are exposed to prolonged heat or harsh solvents, though this is rare under normal food storage conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lock & Lock is a South Korean brand with decades of market presence in food storage; no major recalls or contamination incidents are on record for this product line. The brand does not publicly disclose detailed material sourcing or additive composition, which is common but not ideal for transparency. Third-party certifications specific to this model are not widely documented; no evidence of NSF, FDA compliance statements, or independent testing specific to Easy Essentials containers is readily available.
How it compares in its category
Polypropylene food storage containers are a mainstream, low-risk choice compared to older polycarbonate (PC) or PVC alternatives. Lock & Lock competes with Rubbermaid, OXO, and Pyrex; PP rigidity and snap-lock design are typical for the mid-range segment. Glass alternatives (Pyrex, Anchor) eliminate plastic leaching risk but are heavier and breakable; low-cost PET (#1) containers are common but less durable for repeated use.
If you buy it
Avoid heating containers in the microwave above 180°C (356°F) or storing hot food directly; let food cool first. Do not use for long-term storage of fatty or acidic foods (oils, vinegars, citrus) as these can accelerate minor plastic degradation over months. Inspect containers annually for cloudiness, cracks, or odor changes, which signal aging; replace if visible. Hand-wash when possible; dishwasher use on the top rack is generally safe but may reduce container lifespan over time.
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.”
Polypropylene monomer and oligomer leaching
Residual PP monomers or processing aids can migrate into food under high heat or prolonged contact with oils/alcohol, though risk is low at normal storage temperatures. No specific recalls for Lock & Lock Easy Essentials on this hazard are recorded.
Microplastics from container degradation
Prolonged heating, UV exposure, or mechanical stress (scratching during washing) can cause PP containers to shed small plastic fragments. Risk increases with age and improper care; use of harsh abrasives or high-temperature dishwashers accelerates wear.
BPA or BPS in additives
Polypropylene does not require BPA or BPS as components. Lock & Lock does not use polycarbonate in this product line, so BPA exposure is not a concern. No public reports of BPA contamination in Easy Essentials containers.
Phthalates in plastic
Phthalates are typically used in PVC and some flexible plastics for softening; rigid PP does not require them. No evidence that Lock & Lock Easy Essentials containers contain phthalates.
Odor and taste transfer
Consumer reports note that PP containers can absorb and retain odors and colors (especially from tomato-based or spiced foods) over time. This is a quality-of-life issue rather than a toxicity risk but affects container lifespan and user satisfaction.
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.