Tupperware · Food Storage Containers
CrystalWave PLUS Round Set
Lower-concern food-storage option; Tupperware PP containers have no known PFAS risk, but brand doesn't publicly address PFAS.
CrystalWave PLUS is polypropylene plastic food storage, a material category with lower inherent PFAS risk compared to nonstick coatings or treated textiles. Tupperware has not made public PFAS claims or third-party verifications for this line. No government recalls or detected lab PFAS data publicly available for this product.
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polypropylene plastic (food-contact container)
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
CrystalWave PLUS containers are polypropylene (PP, #5 plastic), a thermoplastic chosen for food storage because it is rigid, temperature-resistant to ~160, 170°C (320, 340°F), and chemically stable in typical kitchen use. Polypropylene does not contain BPA, phthalates, or the problematic additives that softer plastics (#3, #6, #7) carry. The "CrystalWave" branding refers to the container's clarity and microwave-safe design, which reflects Tupperware's engineering for controlled heat exposure rather than extreme temperatures.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tupperware has maintained FDA food-contact approval for decades and does not publicly disclose PFAS use in consumer products, a silence consistent with many legacy food-storage manufacturers. The brand has faced no major recalls or legal actions tied to BPA, phthalates, or leaching from polypropylene containers in the public domain. Tupperware's manufacturing undergoes third-party auditing for food safety compliance, though the company does not publish comprehensive chemical transparency reports on additives or processing aids.
How it compares in its category
Polypropylene food-storage containers occupy the middle ground: safer than vintage plastics (#3, #7, older #6) but less documented than glass or ceramic alternatives. CrystalWave PLUS ranks similarly to competitor PP sets from Rubbermaid and store brands in chemical profile; Tupperware's advantage is design consistency and lid sealing reliability over time. Premium alternatives (glass, stainless steel) eliminate plastic-specific hazards entirely but sacrifice microwave convenience and cost efficiency.
If you buy it
Store food at room temperature or refrigerated; avoid prolonged heating above 160°C or repeated microwave cycles with fatty foods (which can degrade the polymer over decades). Replace containers if you notice discoloration, clouding, or persistent odor after washing, as these may signal polymer breakdown or residue absorption. Wash by hand or in the dishwasher on low heat; avoid high-heat drying cycles. Do not use for hot-fill storage of temperatures above 80°C, and keep containers away from direct sunlight to slow photoaging.
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 and phthalates
Polypropylene (#5) is not formulated with BPA or phthalates as primary components. No recalls or testing reports document BPA or BPS leaching from Tupperware CrystalWave products.
Leaching from polymer breakdown
Repeated heating, prolonged sunlight exposure, or mechanical stress over 10+ years may degrade polypropylene and release oligomers or processing residues. Risk is low under normal use (room-temperature storage, occasional microwaving) but increases if containers are heated to near-maximum safe temperature regularly.
Microplastics from container degradation
If containers become visibly cracked, warped, or clouded after extended use, small plastic particles may shed into food. This is a use-phase hazard, not a manufacturing defect; replacement intervals (typically 5-10 years for heavy use) mitigate this risk.
Lid and seal degradation
CrystalWave PLUS lids contain elastomer seals that may harden, shrink, or accumulate mold if not dried promptly or stored in humid conditions. This compromises food safety by allowing bacterial growth or odor transfer, not chemical leaching.
Contaminant absorption and off-gassing
Polypropylene is relatively inert to food chemicals and does not off-gas volatile compounds at room temperature. No established reports of VOC or formaldehyde emissions from Tupperware PP containers under normal storage conditions.
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.