Rubbermaid · Food Storage Containers
Rubbermaid EasyStore Medium Rectangle Containers 18-Piece Set
Lower concern, basic plastic food storage with no known PFAS triggers, but no brand transparency.
Rubbermaid EasyStore containers are made from polypropylene (PP) plastic, a commodity thermoplastic with no inherent PFAS chemistry and no nonstick, waterproof, or stain-resistant coatings. The brand makes no PFAS disclosures either way.
Shop Rubbermaid on Amazon →Material
polypropylene (PP) plastic containers and 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
These containers are polypropylene (PP, plastic #5), a thermoplastic polymer chosen for food storage because it is rigid, microwave-safe at low temperatures, and does not leach BPA or phthalates under normal use. Polypropylene is one of the more chemically stable food-grade plastics and does not break down into microplastics during typical cold or warm (not hot) storage. The lids are also PP, meaning the entire set avoids the mixed-material complexity that sometimes introduces incompatible additives.
The brand's record and disclosure
Rubbermaid is a Newell subsidiary with a long history in durable plastic consumer goods. The company has not published detailed ingredient or chemical disclosure statements for this specific product line, nor has it pursued third-party certification (e.g., GreenGuard, FDA Compliance Plus labeling beyond baseline). No major recalls or chemical safety controversies are on record for the EasyStore line. The brand's silence on PFAS or other intentional additives is typical of the mass-market food storage sector.
How it compares in its category
Polypropylene containers occupy the mid-range of food storage safety; they are safer than older polycarbonate (BPA concern) and more durable than thin PET (polyethylene terephthalate). Comparable products from OXO, Pyrex glass, and Tupperware offer similar polypropylene options at similar or higher price points. The main trade-off is that PP is less heat-tolerant than glass or stainless steel, and repeated heating above 100°C can degrade the resin.
If you buy it
Use these containers for cold or room-temperature food storage; avoid the dishwasher's heated dry cycle and do not microwave on high power or for extended periods. Replace any containers showing visible cracking, cloudiness, or persistent odor, as these are signs of resin fatigue. Store away from direct sunlight and heat sources (stove, oven) to minimize polymer stress. Hand-wash with mild soap and cool water for longest life.
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 / Bisphenol A
Polypropylene does not contain BPA by formulation; no BPA exposure is expected from this product under any normal use condition.
Phthalates
Polypropylene is not formulated with phthalate plasticizers; no phthalate leaching risk is documented for PP food storage containers.
Microplastics from heating or degradation
If containers are microwaved at high power or exposed to boiling liquids repeatedly, polymer chains may degrade and shed microparticles into food. Risk is low under label-recommended use (cool/warm storage, brief reheating) but increases with misuse.
Polymer additives (colorants, UV stabilizers, slip agents)
FDA-cleared polypropylene resin typically includes inert additives (titanium dioxide for opacity, hindered amine light stabilizers). No published data indicates leaching of these additives into food at concentrations of concern from this product.
Lid seal degradation and mold/bacterial growth
User reports on retail sites occasionally mention lid warping or seal failure after dishwasher use or prolonged storage, potentially allowing mold or bacterial colonization at the seal interface. This is a durability and hygiene issue, not a chemical safety issue, but warrants inspection before refilling.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% 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.