A toxicologist shared the safest plastic containers for food storage — here's what they said
Certain plastics don’t like heat or long-term use.
Plastic is not necessarily the enemy in your kitchen. In fact, Chris De Armitt, PhD, founder and president of the Plastics Research Council, says, “Common plastics like polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, polystyrene, and more are FDA-approved for food storage use because of decades of testing.” However, certain plastics contain more “extractables” — microplastics, forever chemicals, phthalates, BPA, and BPS — than others, according to European Registered Toxicologist Robert Kapp, PhD.
“For food storage and microwaving, no plastic is literally ‘zero-migration,’ but a few are consistently considered low-risk when properly formulated and used as intended,” said Kapp when asked about non-toxic food storage. He, as well as polymer chemists John Newman and Roman Bielski of Chemventive, reported polypropylene, or #5 PP, as the least toxic plastic on their lists. Thanks to its “low migration under FDA test conditions,” Kapp calls it “the best available plastic for hot food and reheating.” So, we took the liberty of rounding up some of our favorite polypropylene food storage containers, plus some low-risk, mixed material options from Tupperware and Rubbermaid. Read on for our picks and how to best use them.
Best Toxicologist-Approved Plastic Food Storage Containers
- Reliable Deli Cups: Freshware Food Storage Deli Containers With Lids, $23
- Chef-Approved Tubs: Cambro 2-Pack Food Storage Containers with Lids, $23
- Airtight Pantry Storage: ComSaf Dry Storage Containers, Set of 3, $18, originally $20
- Versatile Storage Set: Tupperware Heritage Collection 36-Piece Food Storage Container Set, $100
- Shopper-Loved: Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Containers, Set of 4, $33
Freshware Food Storage Deli Containers With Lids
These fully polypropylene deli containers come in a convenient set of 8-, 16-, and 32-ounce cups. Freezer-safe as low as -40°F and heat-safe up to 250°F, they’re ultra-versatile, microwaveable containers that you can clean in the dishwasher. Plus, the lids, which form an airtight, leakproof seal, are also microwave-safe — an unguaranteed perk of many plastic deli cups.
Cambro 2-Pack Food Storage Containers With Lids
A chef with over 9 years' experience swears by these stackable tubs for both pantry and fridge storage. The 4-quart containers are useful for consolidating flours and grains in the pantry, while the 2-quart containers fit snugly on a standard refrigerator shelf to store produce and meal prep. The lids are made from polyethylene, which Newport and Bielski explained as great for cold foods and safe for warm (not hot) foods.
Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Containers, Set of 4
Rubbermaid’s plastic food storage containers are made from Tritan copolyesters, or modern BPA-free #7 plastics. While not as well-researched as polypropylene, the material made Kapp’s list of low-risk plastics because it “generally passes regulatory migration limits” and has “good dishwasher stability.” These containers are also clear and durable with unmatched lid locks that form an airtight seal to keep food fresh for longer.
ComSaf Dry Storage Containers, Set of 3
With one 5.5-quart and two 2.6-quart polypropylene containers in this set, you’ll be completely equipped to transfer your flour and sugars to new vessels. The lids are also made of polypropylene and feature silicone rings for an airtight seal on the containers. With a clear construction and included labels, you’ll always be able to find your ingredients and tell when you need to restock.
Tupperware Heritage Collection 36-Piece Food Storage Container Set
Leave it to Tupperware to rely on polypropylene for its vintage-inspired Heritage collection food storage containers. The main container components are fully #5 PP, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe. Just be sure to keep the lids away from heat or the microwave, since the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) material is best for cold and warm use only, according to Newport and Bielski.
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