Rubbermaid Premier · Food Storage Containers
Rubbermaid Premier 20-Piece Food Storage Set
Lower PFAS risk for rigid food storage; verify lid material independently.
Rubbermaid Premier food storage sets use polypropylene plastic, a commodity resin without intentional PFAS additives in standard formulations. However, Rubbermaid makes no public PFAS disclosure.
Shop Rubbermaid Premier 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 Premier containers are rigid polypropylene (PP, #5 plastic), one of the safer food-contact plastics with no BPA or phthalates intentionally added. PP does not leach harmful chemicals under normal cold and room-temperature storage; the plastic is inherently stable and approved by FDA for food contact. Lids are typically PP or a PP-elastomer blend; lid degradation or seal failure over years of use is a wear concern, not a chemical one.
The brand's record and disclosure
Rubbermaid (owned by Newell Brands) does not publicly disclose detailed chemical content or third-party safety testing for this product line. The brand has no widely documented recalls or health controversies tied to Premier food-storage containers specifically. Rubbermaid is not known for aggressive transparency on PFAS or phthalate phase-out, but also has no pattern of non-compliance with US food-contact regulations.
How it compares in its category
PP rigid containers are considered mid-range for safety among food-storage options. Glass alternatives (Pyrex, Anchor Hocking) eliminate all plastic leaching risk but cost more and break easily. Other PP brands (Glad, Sistema, Pyrex Premiere) are broadly comparable; Rubbermaid's main differentiator is durability reputation, not chemical safety. BPA-free and phthalate-free claims are industry standard now and not a competitive advantage.
If you buy it
Store cold and room-temperature foods only; do not microwave in these containers (check lid manufacturer guidance separately). Replace lids every 3-5 years or when seals no longer hold tight, as wear is the primary failure mode. Hand-wash or top-rack dishwasher only; avoid harsh scouring that may degrade plastic surface. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources, which accelerate minor polymer degradation over decades.
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 and phthalates
Polypropylene (#5) is not manufactured with BPA or common phthalates; no such contamination is documented in Rubbermaid Premier containers. Regulatory food-contact approval implies absence of intentional addition.
Microplastics from container degradation
Mechanical wear (scratches, abrasion) or photodegradation over many years can shed microscopic particles, but this is typical for all rigid plastic food storage and is not specific to Rubbermaid's formulation. Risk is minimal with proper care and periodic replacement.
Leaching from lid seals and gaskets
Lid elastomers (often silicone or rubber blends) may contain trace contaminants or off-gas compounds, especially if lids are old or exposed to heat. Rubbermaid does not publish lid material composition. This is a general concern for any plastic food-storage system with removable lids, not unique to this brand.
Mold or bacterial growth in lid crevices
Rubbermaid Premier lids have multiple sealing ridges that trap moisture and food particles if not cleaned thoroughly. This is a maintenance issue, not an inherent material hazard, but improper washing creates a microbial risk.
Chemical migration from prolonged high-temperature exposure
PP containers are not meant for hot food or dishwasher heat cycles; Rubbermaid Premier is labeled for cold storage. No leaching incidents are documented at intended-use temperatures. Misuse (boiling water, oven) could theoretically accelerate minor degradation but is outside design scope.
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.