Rubbermaid Premier · Food Storage Containers
Rubbermaid Premier Food Storage Container 10 Piece Set
Lower-concern food storage; polypropylene base unlikely to contain PFAS, but Rubbermaid makes no public disclosure.
Rubbermaid Premier containers are made from polypropylene plastic, a material not typically associated with intentional PFAS use. However, Rubbermaid does not publicly disclose PFAS-free status or third-party testing for this product line. No government recalls or published lab detections linked to this product are known.
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Polypropylene (PP) plastic container and 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 polypropylene (PP, #5 plastic), a relatively inert thermoplastic chosen for food contact because it resists degradation and leaching at ambient and mild temperatures. Polypropylene does not contain BPA, BPS, or phthalates by design (those are found in other plastics like polycarbonate and PVC). The lids appear to use similar PP or elastomer seals, common in food-storage lines. No published data suggests this product formulation leaches harmful chemicals under normal refrigeration or pantry storage.
The brand's record and disclosure
Rubbermaid is owned by Newell Brands and has a decades-long presence in food storage without significant toxicity recalls tied to the base plastic. The company does not publish detailed material sourcing or chemical disclosure statements for this product line. Rubbermaid has faced no major lawsuits or recalls for leaching or off-gassing in food containers; however, the silence on PFAS testing means independent verification is absent. The Premier line carries no third-party certifications (e.g., BPA-Free certification labels are common, but Rubbermaid does not advertise these prominently).
How it compares in its category
Polypropylene food containers are among the safest single-use and reusable options, scoring better than polycarbonate (BPA risk) or older PVC (phthalates). Rubbermaid Premier sits in the mainstream mid-range; glass alternatives (Pyrex, OXO Glass) eliminate plastic leaching entirely but cost more and break. Silicone or stainless-steel containers are less common in 10-piece sets at comparable prices. Most supermarket plastic food-storage brands (Sistema, Glad, Snapware) use PP and carry similar hazard profiles.
If you buy it
Keep containers away from direct heat; polypropylene softens above 100°C (212°F), so do not use in ovens or microwave if not explicitly labeled microwave-safe (check product specs). Wash by hand or on gentle dishwasher cycles; avoid prolonged contact with hot water or oils, which can gradually degrade seals. Replace lids if they crack, warp, or lose grip; degraded lids allow air entry and bacterial growth. Store food in cool, dark conditions; do not leave sealed containers in hot cars or direct sunlight for extended periods.
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 does not contain BPA or BPS by chemical formulation; these additives are found in polycarbonate and older plastics. No published reports of BPA leaching from Rubbermaid PP containers.
Phthalate leaching
Phthalates are plasticizers used in flexible PVC and some polyesters, not in polypropylene. This product is not known to contain or leach phthalates.
Microplastics generation during use
Mechanical wear (scratches, repeated washing, lid friction) can release microscopic plastic particles into food or water. Risk is low under normal use but increases with dishwasher cycles and abrasion over years. Replace visibly degraded containers.
Lid seal degradation and bacterial growth
Polypropylene lids and elastomer gaskets can harden, crack, or lose compression over time, especially with repeated temperature cycling. Poor seals allow bacterial contamination; several consumer reviews cite lid failure within 1-2 years. Replace seals if they no longer seal tightly.
Odor and flavor retention / polymer off-gassing
Polypropylene can absorb strong odors (garlic, curry, tomato) and retain faint plastic odor, particularly in new containers. Off-gassing is minimal at room temperature but may occur briefly after manufacture or with warm storage. This is a nuisance rather than a toxicity hazard; odor fades with use and airing.
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.