Rubbermaid is generally considered safe and non-toxic for everyday food storage, but it depends on the product line. Most modern containers are strictly BPA-free, phthalate-free, and compliant with FDA food safety standards.
Rubbermaid plastic food containers do not contain BPA and comply with FDA safety guidelines. However, research indicates that microwaving or freezing them can cause the plastic to degrade, releasing trace chemicals and millions of microplastics into your food.
The healthiest containers for storing food are glass, stainless steel, and ceramic. These materials are inert, meaning they won't leach harmful chemicals like BPA, phthalates, or PFAS into your meals—even when exposed to heat.
Rubbermaid plastic containers are made from polypropylene and polyethylene. While not containing plastic inherently in their solid state, studies indicate that these materials degrade and leach microplastics and nanoplastics into food over time, particularly when subjected to freezing and heating.
A: Thank you for your interest in our products. Our Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers are BPA and phthalate free.
The safest plastic containers for food storage and heating are made from polypropylene (#5 PP), high-density polyethylene (#2 HDPE), and low-density polyethylene (#4 LDPE). These materials do not contain harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates, and they are rigorously tested and approved for food safety.
Any time a plastic food storage container becomes scratched or cracked, stained, punctured, begins to smell, loses a lid or the lid no longer fits securely, or becomes textured – it's time to throw it out.
While LDPE is considered safer than PVC, there are studies that suggest it might also harm human health. Similarly, high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic containers, which are typically used to store household cleaners and pesticides but are sometimes used for food storage, tested positive for PFAS.
Rubbermaid is not out of business, but it was acquired and heavily restructured. Formerly an independent household giant, it was purchased by the Newell Company for $6 billion in 1999.
No, it is not safe or recommended to use 40-year-old Tupperware (from the 1980s) to store food. Older plastics degrade over time, posing significant health risks.
Yes, research indicates that Ziploc-style polyethylene and polypropylene bags can release microplastics and nanoplastics into your food. While the manufacturer maintains its products' safety, scientific studies have shown that exposing these bags to temperature extremes accelerates the breakdown of the plastic surface.
Neither brand is universally "better," but they excel in different areas: Rubbermaid is generally considered the winner for everyday kitchen utility and leakproof sealing, while Tupperware excels in specialized modular pantry storage and warranty guarantees.
Yes, food-grade silicone is generally considered safer and more durable than plastic for food storage. Made primarily from silica (sand), it is non-toxic and free from petroleum-based chemicals like BPA, BPS, phthalates, and lead.
Filtered water helps your body flush out microplastics. High-fiber diets help your body get rid of plastic in your waste by promoting bowel movements.
Bottom line: Avoid. These PVC containers contain varying levels of phthalates, and the phthalates migrate into food.
The best non-toxic food storage containers are made from glass, pure platinum silicone, or food-grade stainless steel, ensuring zero BPA, BPS, phthalates, or PFAS leaches into your food.
You don't need to throw them all away at once. It's best to sort through your stash and replace them gradually with safer options like glass or stainless steel. Discard plastic containers only if they show visible signs of wear.
10 Zero-waste plastic bag alternatives
The safest plastics for food storage are Polypropylene (PP, #5), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE, #2), and Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE, #4). These materials are stable, resist leaching chemicals into food, and are generally BPA- and phthalate-free.
All of our small, medium, and large food containers are also BPA-free food storage containers so you can rest assured that your food containers are safe.
Cardiologists warn against drinking from plastic bottled water primarily due to microplastics, nanoplastics, and chemical additives. These contaminants are shed from the bottles themselves and can directly impact your cardiovascular health.
Yes. Research indicates that freezing plastic—like freezing food in polypropylene freezer bags or containers—can cause them to release thousands of microplastics and millions of nanoplastics.
Yes, scientific studies and recent class-action lawsuits indicate that Ziploc-style bags release microplastics and nanoplastics. The breakdown is heavily accelerated by extreme temperatures (freezing or microwaving) and continuous wear.
Types of Safe Plastic
The best food storage containers are the Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers. They're durable, leakproof, and easy to clean. For a lighter-weight option, look to the Rubbermaid Brilliance plastic line.