Rubbermaid · Food Storage Containers
Rubbermaid Brilliance Leak Proof Food Storage Containers
Lower concern, but transparency gap, plastic food containers often escape PFAS scrutiny.
Rubbermaid Brilliance containers are made from BPA-free plastic with silicone seals, neither of which inherently requires PFAS. The brand does not disclose PFAS presence or absence.
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Plastic (BPA-free copolyester) with silicone gasket seals
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 uses BPA-free copolyester (a polyester blend), which is more chemically stable than polycarbonate or older polypropylene formulations. Copolyester resins have lower migration rates of monomers into food under normal use. The silicone gaskets provide an inert seal that resists swelling and does not off-gas volatile organics like older rubber or PVC gaskets. This material combination is designed to be microwave-safe up to stated temperatures and freezer-compatible without brittleness.
The brand's record and disclosure
Rubbermaid (owned by Newell) has voluntarily removed BPA from food-contact plastics since the early 2010s and maintains BPA-free labeling on Brilliance line. The brand does not publicly disclose detailed PFAS testing or non-use commitments for this product line. No major recalls or leaching incidents have been documented for Brilliance containers in FDA or CPSC records. Certification data (FDA, NSF) for food-contact suitability is available but transparency on newer per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) screening remains a gap across the industry.
How it compares in its category
Brilliance sits in the mid-to-premium segment of plastic food storage; comparable to Pyrex glass-plastic hybrids and OXO in durability and gasket longevity. Glass alternatives (Pyrex, Anchor Hocking) eliminate plastic leaching risk entirely but are heavier and breakage-prone. Cheaper polypropylene containers (store brands) have comparable safety profiles but gaskets degrade faster. Silicone-only or stainless steel containers cost more but avoid plastics entirely if that is a priority.
If you buy it
Follow Rubbermaid's microwave guidelines (generally safe up to 160F food temperature; do not heat gasket directly). Hand-wash gaskets separately or use gentle dishwasher cycles to extend seal life, as high heat degrades silicone prematurely. Replace containers if lids crack, gaskets lose elasticity (food doesn't seal after 2-3 years), or plastic becomes cloudy or brittle. Avoid prolonged storage of acidic foods (vinegar, citrus) or fatty liquids (oils, dressings) in direct contact with plastic, as these can accelerate minor monomer migration over months.
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 or other bisphenol leaching
Rubbermaid explicitly formulates Brilliance as BPA-free copolyester. No BPA or BPA replacement (BPS/BPF) has been reported in independent testing or recalls specific to this product line.
Phthalate plasticizers or migration
Copolyester resins do not rely on phthalate plasticizers for flexibility. Silicone gaskets are also phthalate-free. No migration incidents recorded.
Microplastics shedding or degradation
Prolonged microwave heating, dishwasher cycles, or physical damage to container walls can cause microcracking and minor microplastic release over years. Risk is low under normal use but increases with aggressive handling or high-heat exposure.
Silicone gasket degradation and off-gassing
Food-grade silicone gaskets are stable but can absorb odors, stain, or lose elasticity after 2-3 years of heavy use or heat cycles. Degraded gaskets no longer seal effectively but do not typically leach volatile compounds into food.
PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") in plastic resin or coatings
Copolyester resins may contain PFAS as processing aids or in antimicrobial coatings, but Rubbermaid does not disclose testing. Industry-wide, plastic food containers are a known potential PFAS source despite 'BPA-free' labeling. Graded separately at 70/100 concern.
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.