Lock & Lock · Food Storage Containers
LocknLock Pantry Food Storage Container Set
Lower PFAS concern for food storage, plastic containers are standard PP with no nonstick or water-repellent coating triggers.
LocknLock pantry containers are rigid polypropylene food-storage boxes with snap-lock lids. No PFAS-associated coatings (nonstick, stain-resistant, water-repellent treatments) are typical for this product category.
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Polypropylene (PP) plastic containers with airtight seals
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
LocknLock containers are polypropylene (PP plastic, resin #5), which is food-grade and does not contain BPA or BPS by design, these are typical of harder polycarbonates, not PP. PP is stable at room temperature and moderately resistant to leaching under normal storage conditions. The airtight seals use gasket materials (typically silicone or rubber) that are not a known leaching vector for food storage at ambient conditions. Polypropylene's low migration risk is why it is one of the safest food-contact plastics for dry goods and cooled foods.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lock & Lock (South Korean brand, owned by Hwan Chang Industrial) has no published safety certifications or transparency reports on chemical screening. No recalls or contamination incidents for LocknLock containers are on record in FDA or CPSC databases. The brand does not disclose third-party testing results or BPA/phthalate content statements, which is standard for commodity food storage but reflects a lack of proactive transparency. The silence on PFAS aligns with the material class (no water-repellent coating or nonstick coating).
How it compares in its category
LocknLock is a mainstream budget-to-mid-range food storage option and is chemically equivalent to competitors like Rubbermaid, Sistema, and OXO in terms of material hazard profile. All use polypropylene as the base; differences lie in lid durability, airtightness performance, and long-term hinge/gasket wear rather than chemical safety. Higher-end brands like Glass Lock or Pyrex use borosilicate glass instead, which eliminates plastic leaching risks but adds breakage and cost. PP containers are adequate for pantry storage and refrigeration; LocknLock's polypropylene formulation poses no category-wide concerns.
If you buy it
Do not use LocknLock containers in the microwave or dishwasher at high heat, as polypropylene softens above 100 degrees Celsius and migration risk increases. Store only dry goods, cooled or room-temperature foods; do not leave hot liquids in them. Replace containers if seals crack, lids warp, or plastic becomes cloudy or brittle (typically 3-5 years of heavy use). Hand-wash with mild soap and store out of direct sunlight to extend gasket life and prevent odor absorption.
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
Polypropylene does not inherently contain BPA or BPS; Lock & Lock does not add these chemicals. No recalls or detections in independent testing of this product line.
Phthalates
PP resin does not require phthalate plasticizers. Gaskets may contain trace phthalates, but migration to food is negligible at room temperature with dry goods or cooled foods.
Microplastics when heated
Polypropylene degrades above 100°C; microplastics may leach if containers are misused in microwave or with hot foods. Not a hazard under intended room-temperature or refrigerated storage.
Gasket/seal material degradation
Consumer reports note gaskets becoming stiff, brittle, or discolored after 2-3 years; worn gaskets lose airtight performance and may harbor mold or odor. Not a chemical hazard, but a functional safety and food-preservation concern.
Odor absorption and staining
Polypropylene is porous and absorbs food odors (especially from spices, oils) and stains over time. This is cosmetic, not a chemical hazard, but indicates plastic degradation and reduced lifespan.
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.