Rubbermaid · Food Storage Containers
Rubbermaid Brilliance 20-Piece Food Storage Container Set
Lower concern for PFAS, but Rubbermaid has not publicly committed to PFAS-free manufacturing.
Rubbermaid Brilliance containers are rigid plastic food storage boxes without intentional nonstick or water-resistant coatings, common PFAS risk vectors. However, Rubbermaid makes no public PFAS disclosure or commitment, leaving uncertainty about legacy manufacturing.
Shop Rubbermaid on Amazon →Material
Plastic polymer (polypropylene/copolyester blend) with clear lids
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Rubbermaid Brilliance containers are made from polypropylene (PP) copolymer plastic with clear copolyester lids. Polypropylene is one of the safer food-contact plastics: it does not contain BPA, has low leaching potential at room temperature, and is FDA-approved for food storage. The material becomes a concern only when heated above its design limits (typically 160-180°F for polypropylene), at which point polymer breakdown accelerates.
The brand's record and disclosure
Rubbermaid, owned by Newell Brands, does not publish detailed chemical composition disclosures or third-party certifications for this product line. The brand has faced no major recalls related to chemical leaching from Brilliance containers. Rubbermaid has not made public commitments to eliminate PFAS or other legacy chemicals, though no evidence suggests intentional use of either in this line.
How it compares in its category
Polypropylene-based food storage is a mainstream choice; Brilliance sits in the mid-range for consumer brands. Glass alternatives (Pyrex, Anchor Hocking) eliminate polymer concerns entirely but cost more and break. Stainless steel offers another path but is opaque. Among plastic options, polypropylene is safer than older polycarbonate (BPA risk) and comparable to other PP-based brands like Glad or Sistema.
If you buy it
Store only cold or room-temperature foods; do not microwave or place in boiling water. Hand-wash or use dishwasher on low heat to extend lid seal life, as thermal cycling degrades polymer clarity over 2-3 years. Replace containers if lids no longer seal tightly, as failed seals invite bacterial growth and mold. Keep away from strong oils, solvents, and prolonged direct sunlight, which accelerate minor leaching.
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 (bisphenol A or S)
Polypropylene does not contain BPA or BPS by design. No evidence of BPA contamination in Rubbermaid Brilliance containers from manufacturing or recalls.
Phthalates
Phthalates are not used in polypropylene or copolyester formulations for food-contact plastics. No reported presence in this product line.
Microplastics/polymer degradation when heated
Microwave use or prolonged exposure to temperatures above 160°F accelerates polypropylene breakdown and may release microscopic plastic particles into food. This risk is design-related, not manufacturing defect; containers are labeled for cold/room-temp storage only.
Bacterial/mold growth from seal failure
Lids may lose airtight fit after repeated washing or thermal stress. Consumer reviews document occasional seal degradation within 1-2 years, creating conditions for foodborne pathogen or mold growth if contents are stored for extended periods.
Coating degradation and lid material leaching
Copolyester lids may degrade slightly with repeated dishwasher cycles or prolonged contact with acidic foods (vinegar, citrus), though polypropylene/copolyester blends are relatively resistant. No recalls or studies document significant leaching from this product under normal use.
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.