Is 30 year old Tupperware safe?

Author: Raphael Grant  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 12, 2025

A general rule is that Tupperware and similar plastic containers last between 5 and 10 years.

How can you tell if old Tupperware is safe?

If you look at the bottom of your plastic food storage containers and they have a #2, #4, or #5, those are generally recognized as safe for food and drink. If any of your containers have a #3, #6, or #7, those should be disposed of because they are considered high-risk plastics.

When should you throw out old Tupperware?

If the Tupperware is stained, warped, or has absorbed odors after extensive use, it might be time to replace it. Throwing it away after a single use is generally not necessary unless it's intended for single-use products, like some food delivery containers.

Is 30 year old Tupperware safe to use?

If it's more than 11 years old: If the Tupperware you have at home is excessively old, you should replace it not only because it may have deep scratches from constant use where bacteria can get trapped, but also because it's probably made of bisphenol-A (BPA), a potentially harmful chemical.

What is the lifespan of a Tupperware container?

Though designed to last a lifetime, our BPA-free plastic containers are recyclable, and many will bear recycling codes to help recycling centers best sort them.

Don't Know What To Do With Old Tupperware? Here's 5 Tips To Tackling Old Plastic Food Storage

Will Tupperware replace my old Tupperware?

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY

In the event of a product's failure to meet the foregoing warranty, Tupperware, at its election, will either replace the affected product with a like or similar product or provide a credit toward future purchases of Tupperware® brand products.

How many years can we use Tupperware?

Tupperware Brand products are designed to last a lifetime with minimal care. Follow these simple steps to care for your Tupperware products: 1. Wash and rinse Tupperware products with liquid soap and lukewarm water.

What year did Tupperware go BPA free?

Since March 2010, items Tupperware sells in the US and Canada are BPA-free, according to its website.

How to tell if Tupperware is vintage?

Look at its colors: pieces from the 1940s and '50s are white or pastel, while later items are saturated in bright hues. Each of the storage canisters in the Servalier line, which nested within one another in graduated sizes, came with a decorative flower emblem on its smudge-proof textured exterior.

Where can I sell old Tupperware?

The Tupperware that's piled in your pantry (or your parents' or grandparents' pantries) may actually serve you better listed for sale online than sitting on a shelf-if it's old Tupperware, that is. Online retailers such as eBay and Etsy have all kinds of vintage Tupperware for sale.

Does Tupperware leach microplastics?

According to National Geographic's The Green Guide, plastics #2, #4 and #5 are the safest for repeatedly storing your food. If you reuse items made from plastics #1, #3, #6 and #7 (some Tupperware products are made from #7), you run the risk of having toxic chemicals leach into the contents.

Does old Tupperware have lead?

The Tupperware® brand didn't nix BPA until 2010, and truly vintage Tupperware may even leach heavy metals like cadmium, lead, and arsenic into stored food.

Is Tupperware going out of business?

In September this year, Tupperware Brands filed for bankruptcy in a Delaware court as demand fell, losses mounted, the stock slumped and debt rose. Tupperware revolutionized food and kitchen storage in the latter half of the 20th century and became a household name.

Should I get rid of my old Tupperware?

While there is no set timeframe for replacing plastic food containers, experts say they should be tossed out when they show visible wear, chips, cracks, or signs of stains and odors. In place of plastic containers, experts recommend opting for glass or stainless steel instead.

How do I know if my Tupperware has BPA?

The most reliable way to check whether an item is BPA-free is to consult the plastic identification code number — usually stamped on the bottom of the container. There are seven categories, where numbers 1 to 6 are free of BPA. This means that only those printed with the number 7 will contain the chemical.

What is the life of Tupperware?

When the tupperware is in my hands the product usually lasts many months, sometimes years. The plastic is very durable, easy to clean, and stores food very well. The way I clean them is a dish washer, which needs lots of water and electricity to run. However, while durable, they will not last forever.

Is a 20 year old Tupperware safe to use?

Old Tupperware, especially those over a decade old, might contain hazardous chemicals like cadmium, lead, and arsenic. These can leach into your food, posing significant health risks. Vintage Tupperware products are particularly concerning due to the potential leaching of additional harmful substances.

Will Tupperware replace old items?

Tupperware will repair / replace any Tupperware product, or any part thereof, that, under normal domestic use, shows a manufacturing defect, such as: warping, cracking, peeling, splitting and other functional issues. The colour of the replacement may vary from the colour of the original product.

How to find Tupperware mold number?

Locate the mold number on the product. Every Tupperware® product has a two-part number stamped into it. The first part (before the dash) is the mold number. Heads up: it can be super teeny-tiny.

When should Tupperware be thrown out?

“However, if products are used incorrectly and get damaged, or you see signs of chipping, breakage, peeling, warping, or leaks, you should replace them.”

What are the side effects of Tupperware?

Many plastic containers, including older models of Tupperware, contain BPAs, which are chemicals used in the production of plastics. BPAs can leach into food, especially when exposed to heat, and have been linked to potential health issues such as hormonal disruptions and increased risk of heart disease.

What is the oldest Tupperware product?

1940s. Tupperware products are first debuted by chemist Earl S. Tupper in Massachusetts, including the still-iconic Wonderlier® Bowl.

Should I throw out old plastic containers?

“Plastic food storage containers should be replaced every six months to one year, depending on usage and wear and tear. Over time, plastic containers can become scratched, stained, or damaged, and that starts to pose a food safety risk, explains Dragomir Markovic, food scientist and founder of Wise Intake.

Can you pour boiling water into Tupperware?

Our food containers and beverage products are safe to use for pouring boiled water into them. Boiling water poured into our product cools very rapidly, and this should not damage or warp the container. Helpful? Thank you for your feedback!

Is scratched plastic safe?

Some plastic bottles, cups, containers, toys and pacifiers, are made with the chemicals bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates. These chemicals may be toxic when released by heat or when the product is scratched.

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