Sistema · Food Storage Containers
Sistema Nest It Food Storage Containers with Lids (3 Pack)
Lower-concern food storage; no known PFAS triggers, but brand offers no transparency.
Sistema Nest It containers are primarily polypropylene plastic, a material not typically associated with PFAS use. Food storage containers generally pose lower PFAS risk than grease-resistant or waterproof products.
Shop Sistema 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
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
These containers are polypropylene (PP, plastic #5), a thermoplastic with a higher melting point (160°C/320°F) than many food-storage plastics like polystyrene or polyethylene terephthalate. PP does not contain BPA or BPS by design and is considered a lower-migration plastic under normal use. The lids are also PP or PP-based, reducing the risk of incompatible material interactions. Sistema's nestable design uses friction-fit closures rather than chemical seals, which simplifies material composition.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sistema is a New Zealand company with decades of food-storage market presence and no documented recalls or safety controversies on file with major regulators (CPSC, FDA, or EU agencies). The brand does not publish detailed material safety datasheets or independent third-party certifications (e.g., BPA-free labeling, migration testing) on this product line. Silence on PFAS use in the manufacturing process or coatings is typical for the category but limits transparency; no evidence suggests their containers contain intentional PFAS additives.
How it compares in its category
Polypropylene food storage containers are a mid-range choice in terms of safety profile. They avoid the BPA and phthalate concerns associated with older polycarbonate or vinyl products, and they do not require the ceramic or glass durability trade-off. Sistema's 3-pack nesting design is common and competitive; equivalent PP storage from Rubbermaid, OXO, or Pyrex offer similar material safety but may have better documented certifications or slightly different seal durability. PP remains the industry standard for microwave-safe, reusable food storage.
If you buy it
Do not use these containers for hot foods or liquids above 60°C (140°F); polypropylene softens and may allow leaching at higher temperatures. Avoid prolonged microwave heating of fatty or oily foods in the container itself; use the lid only for reheating. Replace containers if seals crack, lids warp, or the plastic becomes cloudy or brittle over time, which indicates polymer degradation. Hand wash or use the top-rack dishwasher cycle; prolonged high-heat dishwashing cycles can shorten the life of the seals.
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 / BPS leaching
Polypropylene (PP) is inherently BPA and BPS-free by formulation. No additives of this class are typical in food-grade PP, and no leaching has been documented for Sistema containers under normal storage conditions.
Phthalate migration
PP plastic does not require phthalate plasticizers; this hazard is not associated with polypropylene food storage. No reports link Sistema containers to phthalate contamination.
Microplastics shedding from degradation
Long-term UV exposure, repeated thermal cycling, or mechanical stress (impacts, scratches) can cause PP containers to become brittle and flake. Over years of use, microscopic particles may enter stored food, particularly if containers are left in sunlight or heated repeatedly. Replacing visibly degraded containers mitigates this risk.
Coating or seal degradation over time
Sistema lids use friction-fit closures; the sealing gasket material and plastic hinges can degrade, crack, or lose elasticity over 2-5 years of use, especially after frequent dishwasher cycles. Compromised seals may allow mold, bacteria, or odor accumulation in stored food. Regular inspection and timely replacement are advisable.
Leaching at elevated temperatures
While PP is stable at room temperature, heating food or liquids to near the plastic's softening point (>60°C) may increase migration of minor polymer additives or residual monomers. This risk is low for cold or lukewarm storage but rises if containers are filled with hot food or microwaved at high power for extended periods.
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.