Rubbermaid Brilliance · Food Storage Containers
Rubbermaid Brilliance 36-Pc. Food Storage Set
Lower concern, rigid food-storage plastics rarely use PFAS, but Rubbermaid makes no public disclosure.
Rubbermaid Brilliance containers are made of polypropylene, a commodity plastic not typically treated with PFAS. Food-contact plastics are generally lower-risk than coatings or textiles. Rubbermaid does not publicly claim PFAS-free status or hold third-party verification for this product line, so no lab data is available to confirm.
Shop Rubbermaid Brilliance on Amazon →Material
Polypropylene (PP) plastic containers with 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
Rubbermaid Brilliance containers are rigid polypropylene (PP, plastic #5), a thermoplastic polymer chosen for food storage because it resists leaching better than softer plastics like PVC or older polycarbonate. Polypropylene does not intentionally contain BPA, BPS, or phthalates as additives in its base formulation. However, the safety profile depends on what colorants, stabilizers, or processing aids are incorporated during manufacture, which Rubbermaid does not publicly disclose in detail.
The brand's record and disclosure
Rubbermaid, owned by Newell Brands, does not publish detailed material safety data sheets or third-party certifications (such as NSF or BPA-free claims) for the Brilliance line on widely accessible consumer channels. The brand has no major recalls specifically linked to chemical leaching from this product line as of public record. Rubbermaid markets the containers as microwave and dishwasher safe, implying internal confidence in their stability, but does not volunteer transparency on proprietary additives.
How it compares in its category
Polypropylene rigid containers are considered mid-tier in the food storage category: safer than older polycarbonate or PVC, comparable to most mainstream brands (Glad, Ziploc, OXO), but behind premium lines that undergo third-party testing or hold NSF certification. The Brilliance line competes on price and opacity rather than chemical transparency. Many competing products also use polypropylene without published hazard data, making direct comparison difficult.
If you buy it
Do not microwave these containers with fatty or acidic foods for extended periods, as heat accelerates potential leaching of any low-level additives; polypropylene's melting point is around 130°C, but degradation begins below that under stress. Hand-wash rather than dishwash if possible to extend lid and seal durability and reduce thermal cycling. Replace containers if cracks, cloudiness, or warping appear, as structural failure increases surface area for leaching. Store away from direct sunlight and heat sources to minimize polymer aging.
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 leaching
Polypropylene base resin does not contain BPA or BPS as intentional additives. No recalls or published studies document BPA leaching from Rubbermaid Brilliance containers specifically.
Phthalate esters
Polypropylene is not formulated with phthalates in standard food-grade applications. Rubbermaid does not disclose proprietary colorants or stabilizers that could theoretically include trace phthalates, but this is not a known issue for rigid PP in the published literature.
Microplastic shedding when heated
Repeated microwave heating of any plastic container can cause microscopic polymer fragmentation. Polypropylene is more resistant than softer plastics, but prolonged or high-temperature use increases risk. No specific data exists for Brilliance containers, but the hazard is inherent to the material class.
Degradation of lids and seals over time
Consumer reports and product reviews note that Rubbermaid Brilliance lids and gaskets lose sealing effectiveness after 1-3 years of regular dishwasher use or thermal cycling, potentially leading to mold growth or food spoilage rather than direct chemical hazard, but compromised containers should be replaced.
Proprietary additives and processing aids (undisclosed)
Rubbermaid does not publicly list stabilizers, colorants, or processing aids used in the Brilliance line. While polypropylene itself is considered food-safe, trace contaminants from manufacturing or non-intentional additives are not ruled out and cannot be assessed without direct testing.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% 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.