Rubbermaid · Food Storage Containers
Rubbermaid Brilliance 36-Pc. Food Storage Set
Lower concern for food storage, rigid plastic containers unlikely to contain PFAS, but brand discloses nothing about PFAS or coatings.
Rubbermaid Brilliance containers are rigid, durable plastic food storage (not flexible film or treated surfaces). No PFAS coatings or water-resistance treatments are typically used in rigid food-grade plastic containers.
Shop Rubbermaid on Amazon →Material
BPA-free plastic (polypropylene/copolyester blend)
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) and copolyester blends, both of which are rigid plastics chosen for durability and food contact safety. Polypropylene is one of the most stable food-contact plastics and does not contain BPA or BPS by design. The copolyester component (likely acrylic or similar) is added for clarity and impact resistance. This material combination is resistant to leaching under normal cold and room-temperature storage conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Rubbermaid (owned by Newell Brands) markets Brilliance as BPA-free and compliant with FDA food-contact regulations, but provides no public disclosure regarding PFAS, phthalates, or other chemical restrictions beyond the BPA claim. The brand has not faced major recalls or safety controversies specific to this product line in available public records. However, like most major plastic container manufacturers, Rubbermaid remains largely silent on PFAS mitigation or independent third-party safety certifications.
How it compares in its category
Brilliance sits in the mainstream mid-market segment alongside Pyrex glass and OXO plastic containers. Unlike glass, it offers break resistance and lower cost; unlike some budget alternatives, it uses recognized safer plastics (PP rather than PVC or polycarbonate). No independent testing or recalls distinguish it as safer or less safe than comparable rigid plastic food storage sets from major manufacturers in this price range.
If you buy it
Store only cold or room-temperature foods; avoid microwave use or sustained heat above 160F, as polypropylene begins to soften and may degrade. Hand-wash lids and inspect regularly for cracks, cloudiness, or warping, discard and replace if structural integrity is compromised. Do not store fatty or oily foods long-term, as they can stress the plastic over time. Lids should be replaced every 2-3 years if frequently used, as they wear faster than containers.
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 containers can fragment or leach microparticles if cracked, scratched, or repeatedly microwaved despite warnings. Risk is low with proper storage and handling but increases with age and misuse.
Phthalates
Polypropylene and copolyester do not typically contain phthalates. No public record of phthalate contamination in Rubbermaid Brilliance products or similar mainstream PP food storage containers.
Heat-induced leaching
Polypropylene can release oligomers and other compounds at elevated temperatures (above 160F). This product is not designed for hot food storage or microwave use; using it outside these limits increases potential for leaching.
Lid seal degradation
Rubber or silicone gaskets in lids degrade over time and with repeated washing, reducing airtightness. This is normal wear rather than a chemical hazard but can compromise food freshness and hygiene if not replaced.
Mold/bacterial growth from poor ventilation
Sealed containers trap moisture; improper drying before storage or leaving condensation inside can promote microbial growth. This is a use-related risk, not a product defect, but common with this container type.
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.