Rubbermaid · Food Storage Containers
Rubbermaid Flex Seal 28-pc. Food Storage Set
Lower PFAS concern; standard rigid food storage containers without intentional coatings or treatments.
Rubbermaid Flex Seal containers are made from polypropylene plastic with polypropylene lids, base materials that do not inherently require PFAS. Food storage containers in this category typically carry lower PFAS risk than nonstick cookware or water-resistant textiles.
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Polypropylene (PP) plastic lids and containers
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
This set uses polypropylene (PP, #5 plastic) for both containers and lids, a thermoplastic chosen for food storage because it has no BPA and resists degradation at normal kitchen temperatures. PP does not naturally contain phthalates or BPS, and rigid PP food containers do not shed microplastics under normal use or refrigeration. The main chemical concern with PP is that low-molecular-weight oligomers can migrate into food if containers are misused (extreme heat, repeated microwaving), but this is a design-use issue, not a material flaw.
The brand's record and disclosure
Rubbermaid (owned by Newell Brands) does not publicly disclose PFAS content or testing for food storage lines, which is typical of the industry standard. The brand has no major recalls specifically for chemical leaching from rigid plastic food containers in the last decade. Rubbermaid holds FDA compliance certifications for food-contact plastics and does not market these products as non-toxic or PFAS-free, suggesting no special treatment claims to verify.
How it compares in its category
Polypropylene rigid containers are the industry baseline for affordable food storage and rank lower for chemical leaching risk than flexible plastics or older polycarbonate designs. This 28-piece set pricing and material choice are typical for mass-market storage; glass alternatives eliminate polymer leaching entirely but at higher cost and breakage risk. Compared to vintage plastic containers from the 1990s-2000s, modern PP formulations have phased out the additives that posed the greatest leaching hazards.
If you buy it
Avoid microwaving food in these containers; use the microwave-safe designation only for reheating empty containers. Do not store fatty foods (oils, butters, salad dressings) or acidic foods (tomato sauce, citrus) long-term, as these can promote oligomer migration. Replace containers if lids crack, seals degrade, or containers become cloudy or brittle, which signals polymer breakdown. Hand wash or use the top rack of the dishwasher; high-heat cycles can shorten the lifespan of lids.
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.”
Microplastic generation from wear
Repeated mechanical stress from stacking, opening, and closing lids can cause microscopic wear on PP surfaces; risk is low under normal use but increases if containers are roughly handled or loaded into dishwashers frequently.
Oligomer leaching under heat or lipid contact
PP can release low-molecular-weight oligomers into fatty or acidic foods, especially if containers are microwave-heated or used for long-term storage of oils and dressings; risk is minimal at refrigerator temperatures with non-fatty foods.
Lid seal degradation
Consumer reports indicate that PP lids on mass-market storage sets can lose flexibility and sealing integrity after 1-3 years of regular use, reducing air-tight function but not creating a direct chemical hazard; replacement lids are typically available separately.
BPA or BPS contamination
Polypropylene formulations used in food storage are not synthesized with BPA or BPS; no recalls or test reports indicate contamination of this product line.
Phthalate plasticizers
Polypropylene rigid containers do not require phthalates for their structural properties; this hazard is associated with flexible PVC and polyvinyl chloride, not PP.
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.