Sistema · Food Storage Containers
Sistema Food Storage Boxes 400 ml 3-pack
Lower concern, basic PP food storage with no known PFAS triggers, though brand offers no explicit disclosure.
Sistema's polypropylene food storage boxes are simple rigid plastic containers with snap-lock lids, commonly used for dry goods and leftovers. PP is not typically treated with PFAS coatings. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or claims, leaving some residual uncertainty around manufacturing additives or trace contamination.
Shop Sistema on Amazon →Material
Polypropylene (PP) plastic
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
Sistema 400 ml boxes are polypropylene (PP), a thermoplastic with a melting point around 130°C but safe food-contact temperature ceiling of roughly 70°C for prolonged storage. PP does not contain BPA, phthalates, or known legacy plasticizers that migrate into food at room temperature. The material is rigid, microwave-safe at low power (per manufacturer), and chemically stable under normal household use, no documented leaching of monomers or additives into dry or room-temperature foods.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sistema is a New Zealand-owned manufacturer with decades of market presence in food storage and does not publish detailed chemical composition or third-party safety certifications on PFAS or other additives. The brand has no major recalls for chemical leaching in recent years and meets FDA food-contact material standards by virtue of market availability. However, the company provides minimal transparency on flame retardants, antimicrobial additives, or manufacturing controls, a limitation shared by many mid-market container brands.
How it compares in its category
PP food-storage boxes are the baseline of the category and carry lower chemical risk than polycarbonate (which historically contained BPA) or recycled/multi-polymer containers. Sistema's 3-pack price point and rigid construction are typical for its segment. Glass alternatives eliminate plastic leaching entirely but trade durability and convenience; silicone hybrids offer similar safety but higher cost. Sistema is neither a premium certified option (like Pyrex or Rubbermaid Brilliance with copolyester lids) nor a budget recycled-resin product.
If you buy it
Store only room-temperature or refrigerated foods; avoid filling with hot liquids or leaving in direct sunlight for extended periods, as heat and UV degrade PP over time. Do not use in the oven or under broiler; microwave only at 30% power if needed. Replace containers within 3-5 years if the plastic becomes cloudy, brittle, or develops cracks, as degradation increases surface area for trace leaching. Hand-wash lids separately to prevent seal degradation and mold in crevices; air-dry completely before sealing.
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 and phthalates (plasticizer leaching)
Polypropylene does not inherently contain BPA or phthalates. No recalls or studies document migration of these chemicals from Sistema PP containers into food at room temperature or refrigeration.
Microplastics and polymer degradation
Repeated washing, stacking stress, and UV exposure gradually degrade PP; clouding or micro-cracking over 3-5 years may release small PP particles into food. Risk is low under normal use but increases if container is heated above 70°C or exposed to solvents.
Residual monomers and processing additives
No published data on residual polypropylene monomers or processing aids (antioxidants, UV stabilizers, slip agents) leaching from Sistema containers. Industry standards assume these are within safe limits for virgin PP; however, brand transparency on specific additive packages is absent.
Lid seal integrity and mold/bacterial growth
PP lids with silicone or TPE gaskets can trap moisture and food residue in crevices; inadequate drying or cleaning before sealing may support mold or bacterial biofilm. This is a maintenance issue, not a material defect, but relevant to food safety.
Flame retardants in plastic formulation
No evidence that Sistema adds halogenated or non-halogenated flame retardants to food-storage PP. Polypropylene's inherent flammability is low, and regulatory food-contact rules discourage brominated additives in this application.
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.