Lock & Lock · Food Storage Containers
Easy Essentials Rectangular Food Storage Container Set
Lower PFAS concern; basic food-storage plastic with no known added Teflon-family coating coatings, but no brand transparency on processing.
Lock & Lock's Easy Essentials line uses standard polypropylene food containers, a material not typically treated with PFAS for basic storage use. The brand makes no PFAS claims and provides no third-party certification.
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Polypropylene (PP) plastic containers with sealed 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
Easy Essentials containers are polypropylene (PP, plastic #5), a thermoplastic polymer chosen for food storage because it has a higher melting point than polyethylene and lower leaching tendency than softer plastics. PP does not contain BPA or phthalates by formulation, though degradation and misuse can increase leaching risk. Lock & Lock's sealed lids are typically polypropylene or polycarbonate; if polycarbonate, older formulations may contain BPA, though modern versions often do not.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lock & Lock is a South Korean brand with a long presence in food storage; the company maintains minimal public disclosure on material sourcing, processing additives, or third-party testing. No major recalls or health controversies have been documented for this product line in the public record. The brand does not publish material safety data sheets (MSDS) or detailed ingredient lists for consumers, which limits independent verification of additive use.
How it compares in its category
Polypropylene food storage containers are mid-range for safety; they perform better than polycarbonate or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) but offer less transparency than glass or stainless steel alternatives. Lock & Lock's sealed-lid design is industry standard and does not introduce additional chemical risk compared to competitors like Rubbermaid or OXO. The main differentiator is durability and lid seal quality, not material safety.
If you buy it
Avoid heating contents above 120°C (248°F) to prevent polymer breakdown and potential leaching; microwave use is generally safe at low power if lids are removed. Hand wash or use dishwasher on lower heat cycles to extend container life and reduce stress-cracking. Replace containers if surfaces become cloudy, cracked, or discolored, as these signs indicate polymer degradation. Store dry foods preferentially; acidic or fatty foods in long-term storage increase minor leaching risk even in PP.
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 (bisphenol compounds)
Polypropylene itself does not contain BPA or BPS; however, lid components (if polycarbonate) may contain BPA depending on manufacturing date and supplier. No recalls or testing data for this specific product line suggest contamination.
Phthalates
PP formulations do not require phthalate plasticizers; this hazard is not a concern for polypropylene food containers. Lock & Lock has no documented phthalate contamination in product recalls or third-party testing.
Microplastics from polymer degradation
Repeated heating, mechanical stress, and UV exposure can cause PP to break down and shed microparticles into food or water stored in the containers. Risk is low under normal use but increases with age, high-temperature exposure, or visible cracking; replacement every 3-5 years is prudent for heavy users.
Minor additive leaching (stabilizers, colorants)
PP containers may contain calcium carbonate fillers, titanium dioxide (whitening), or heat stabilizers; leaching into food is minimal at room temperature but increases with heat, acidity, or fatty foods. No brand testing has been published for Lock & Lock; industry standards suggest migration remains within food safety guidelines.
Lid seal degradation and bacterial growth
Seal quality directly affects food safety; if gaskets degrade or lids fail to seal properly, food contamination and bacterial growth risk rise. Regular inspection of gasket condition and prompt replacement of compromised lids is necessary; the sealed-lid design is only protective if maintained.
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.