Lock & Lock · Food Storage Containers
LocknLock 3-Piece Nestable Bowl Set
Lower-concern choice for storage; rigid plastic bowls unlikely to require PFAS coatings, but brand makes no transparency claims.
Lock & Lock's nestable bowl set appears to be food-grade polypropylene, a rigid plastic that typically doesn't require PFAS-based coatings or water/grease repellents. The brand does not publicly disclose or claim PFAS-free status. No independent lab testing or third-party verification is publicly available for this product line.
Shop Lock & Lock on Amazon →Material
Polypropylene/plastic food 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's nestable bowls are injection-molded polypropylene (PP, #5 plastic), a thermoplastic chosen for rigidity, thermal resistance, and low cost. PP does not typically require PFAS-based non-stick or water-repellent coatings as part of its base chemistry. The material is FDA-approved for food contact and does not leach BPA or phthalates as a baseline hazard, though lids and seals may contain elastomers that warrant inspection.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lock & Lock (Houghton International) is a major player in food-storage containers globally but does not publish detailed material safety data sheets or certifications (BPA-free claims, third-party testing) on consumer-facing sites. The brand has not faced major product recalls related to chemical migration or food contamination in documented public records. Absence of transparency claims does not indicate a problem, but suggests the company relies on regulatory compliance rather than voluntary above-baseline standards.
How it compares in its category
Rigid polypropylene containers are the category norm and are generally safer than soft PVC or older polycarbonate alternatives. Competitor glass containers (Pyrex, Rubbermaid) eliminate plastic-leaching concerns entirely but sacrifice durability and add weight. Lock & Lock's nesting design is market-standard; the safety profile tracks with the material class, not the brand innovation.
If you buy it
Use these bowls for room-temperature and refrigerated storage only; avoid prolonged direct microwave use or storing hot foods, as polypropylene softens above 100-120°C and may degrade over years with repeated heating. Inspect lids and gaskets annually for cracks, discoloration, or odor; replace if compromised. Hand-wash or use the top rack of dishwashers if labeled dishwasher-safe to extend seal life. Do not use for storing acidic foods (citrus, vinegar) for weeks at a time, as PP can absorb flavors and minor leachables over extended contact.
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 and phthalates
Polypropylene does not inherently contain BPA or phthalates as part of its polymer matrix. However, seals, gaskets, and colorants could theoretically introduce these if sourced from problematic suppliers; no recalls or testing reports flagging this for Lock & Lock products are public.
Microplastic shedding from wear
Repeated thermal cycling, scratching from utensils, or dishwasher abrasion can cause microscopic polypropylene particles to enter food. This is a category-wide concern for all rigid plastic food storage; risk increases after 5-10 years of heavy use.
Lid seal degradation and bacterial growth
Lock & Lock lids are designed as airtight seals, but elastomeric gaskets can crack, harden, or harbor mold if stored improperly or cleaned with harsh abrasives. Failure to dry seals thoroughly before storage can lead to mold growth in the lid grooves, unrelated to the bowl material itself.
Thermal stress and chemical migration under extreme heat
Polypropylene's melting point is around 160°C; prolonged exposure to temperatures above 100-120°C (hot dishwasher cycles, storing freshly boiled food) can accelerate polymer chain breakdown and minor leaching of oligomers or additives. Not an immediate hazard for normal use, but a risk factor over the product lifetime.
Colorant or additive leaching (non-PFAS)
Pigments and stabilizers in colored polypropylene are regulated as food-contact additives under FDA and EU rules; no specific recalls or contamination reports link Lock & Lock containers to colorant migration. Risk is low for reputable manufacturers complying with food-contact regulations.
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.