Sistema · Food Storage Containers
Sistema Salad To Go Container
Lower-concern food container; plastic deli boxes typically don't require PFAS treatments, but no public PFAS statement from brand.
Sistema's Salad To Go is a polypropylene food storage container, a commodity plastic not inherently requiring fluorochemical treatments. The silicone gasket poses minimal PFAS risk.
Shop Sistema on Amazon →Material
Polypropylene (PP) plastic container with silicone gasket
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 Salad To Go uses polypropylene (PP, #5 plastic), a food-grade thermoplastic chosen for rigidity and temperature tolerance. The container includes a silicone gasket seal, which avoids BPA and BPS found in older polycarbonate gaskets. Polypropylene is stable at room temperature and microwave-safe up to moderate heat; it does not leach plasticizers like phthalates under normal use because PP itself contains neither BPA nor phthalate compounds by design.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sistema is a New Zealand-based food storage company with no public PFAS statement or third-party certifications (e.g., BPA-Free verification, NSF) on file. The brand has not faced major recalls or safety controversies in North American markets. Transparency about materials and manufacturing practices is minimal; parent company Plasticos Especializados operates without visible chemical safety commitments or certifications.
How it compares in its category
Polypropylene containers are mainstream and considered safer than polycarbonate for food storage. Sistema's design is typical for durable lunch containers; it lacks third-party certification (NSF, FDA statement) that some competitors (e.g., Rubbermaid Brilliance, Pyrex glass alternatives) provide. Silicone gaskets are preferable to vinyl or older rubber seals but offer no chemical advantage over glass or stainless steel alternatives.
If you buy it
Hand wash or place on top rack of dishwasher to avoid prolonged high heat that may degrade the gasket over time. Do not microwave with dressings or acidic foods in direct contact with the plastic; use for storage, not heating. Replace the gasket if it becomes cloudy, cracked, or loses flexibility, typically after 2-3 years of regular use. Inspect the seal quarterly to ensure it still maintains an airtight closure.
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 does not contain BPA or BPS by formulation. No additives in the plastic matrix require these compounds; silicone gasket is also free of BPA.
Phthalate plasticizers
PP does not rely on phthalates for flexibility or durability. This material class does not require phthalate softeners, unlike PVC or some vinyl gaskets.
Microplastics shedding
With extended use, normal wear and repeat dishwashing may cause microscopic plastic particles to shed from the container surface or gasket. Risk increases if dishwasher temperature exceeds manufacturer guidance or if the gasket degrades.
Gasket degradation and seal failure
Silicone gaskets soften and lose elasticity over 2-5 years of exposure to moisture, temperature cycling, and cleaning agents. Failed seals compromise the airtight function and may allow food contamination or mold growth.
Off-gassing or odor retention
Polypropylene may absorb or retain food odors (e.g., garlic, turmeric, curry) and can emit a mild plastic smell when new. This is not a chemical hazard but a sensory concern that typically fades after a few wash cycles.
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.