Rubbermaid Reveal · Food Storage Containers
Rubbermaid Brilliance 36-Pc. Food Storage Set
Lower PFAS concern for storage containers; polypropylene is inherently unlikely to contain PFAS, but Rubbermaid does not publicly disclose.
Rubbermaid Brilliance sets are primarily polypropylene plastic, which is not formulated with PFAS as a core ingredient. The brand offers no public statement on PFAS or certifications.
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polypropylene plastic 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
Rubbermaid Brilliance containers are polypropylene (PP, #5 plastic), a thermoplastic chosen for its rigidity, clarity, and resistance to oils and acids. Polypropylene has a higher melting point (around 130C/266F) than softer plastics like PET or PVC, making it safer for warm foods and dishwasher use. Unlike polycarbonate (PC) or older acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), PP does not contain BPA or similar endocrine disruptors as manufacturing additives. The main chemical concern with PP is degradation when exposed to high heat or UV light, which can cause microplastic shedding.
The brand's record and disclosure
Rubbermaid (owned by Newell Brands) does not publicly disclose full additive lists, stabilizers, or colorant sources for this product line. The company has not faced major recalls for chemical leaching from Brilliance containers in the public record. Rubbermaid does not pursue third-party certifications like BPA-free labeling (though PP intrinsically avoids BPA); absence of certification does not indicate presence of hazard, only lack of transparency. No formal controversy over phthalates or other plasticizers in this specific product line has been documented.
How it compares in its category
PP food storage is mainstream and considered safer than PET, PVC, or older polystyrene alternatives. Glass storage containers (e.g., Pyrex) eliminate plastic chemical concern entirely but are heavier and breakable; silicone alternatives are emerging but lack long-term data. Rubbermaid Brilliance sits at mid-range for the category: cheaper than premium glass, comparable to other major PP brands (Ziploc, Lock & Lock) in material choice, and more transparent in fit-and-seal design than budget opaque containers. No material advantage over competitors, but no known disadvantage either.
If you buy it
Keep containers below 70C (158F) for long-term storage and away from direct sunlight to minimize PP degradation and microplastic risk. Do not use in microwave if the product is not labeled microwave-safe; check the bottom of each container for guidance. Wash by hand or use gentle dishwasher cycles to extend seal and lid life; replacement seals degrade after 2-3 years of heavy use. If containers become cloudy, develop odors, or show visible cracks, discontinue use as these signal polymer breakdown.
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.”
Microplastics from degradation
Polypropylene can shed microparticles when exposed to heat, friction, or UV light over time. Risk increases if containers are microwaved, left in sunlight, or used for very hot foods; likelihood is low under normal cold-storage use.
BPA and related endocrine disruptors
Polypropylene does not require BPA or BPS as a manufacturing additive. No reports of BPA leaching from Rubbermaid Brilliance containers. Colorants and stabilizers are not publicly disclosed, so trace contamination is theoretically possible but undocumented.
Phthalates (plasticizers)
Polypropylene is inherently rigid and does not require phthalate plasticizers. No recalls or test reports indicating phthalate presence in this product. Some colorants or adhesives used in lids could theoretically contain trace phthalates, but this is not established for Rubbermaid.
Heavy metals in pigments or stabilizers
Rubbermaid does not disclose colorant or UV stabilizer sources. Cadmium and lead in pigments are now rare in food-contact plastics due to regulations, but not explicitly ruled out here. No contamination reports on record for this product.
Odor/taste transfer and seal degradation
User reports and reviews indicate that lids and seals can absorb odors and degrade within 1-3 years, reducing airtight function. This is a functional (not chemical safety) issue but signals ongoing polymer breakdown that may increase microplastic or leachate risk if not replaced.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 75% 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.