BPA, PVC and Phthalate-free Food Storage Containers

by Alicia on January 16, 2009 in Food Storage Containers, Shopping Guides

UPDATED October 26, 2011

We began converting our babies’ dishes several years ago, and we’ve been collecting information on safer adult food storage options along the way. It’s amazing now to sit back and look over the sheer number of readily available products. Our list runs the gamut, from glass to stainless steel to safer plastic, from well-known brands to more obscure specialty companies. We’re positive you’ll find something that will fit your needs perfectly.

Preserve’s Recycled Plastic Storage Containers

Ideal for both fridge and lunchbox, Preserve’s food storage options are made from heavy-duty, non-toxic plastic that won’t be bothered inside a bumpy backpack. They’re also stackable making them awesome space savers.

Preserve Food Storage 19oz with Screw on Lid

Preserve Sandwich Size Food Storage

Wean Cubes

Wean Green by Glasslock presents the newly designed and improved Wean Cubes! The durable glass is designed to withstand extreme temperatures. The polypropylene lid and silicone seal lessen leakage and create an airtight food saver option.

Wean Cubes Glass Lock Down Food Storage

Fuel Kids Waste-free Lunch Containers

It so easy to go 100% reusable and waste-free with the wide array of affordable Fuel lunch gear! From sandwich boxes to insulated soup containers, Fuel products are simple for kids to use and their unique features open up a whole new world of healthy meal possibilities.

Fuel Wet and Dry Thermal Snack Container

Fuel PVC-free Kids Lunch Bag

Fuel Uno Dry Snack Container

Fuel Sandwich Boxes

Innate MC2 Food Container

This has to be one of the most innovative combination of two very versatile, durable and reusable materials ever! It’s a stainless steel container with an expanding silicone lid. It’s perfect for tossing food from non-microwavable stainless into the silicone bowl and microwaving for quick warming.

Innate Stainless and Silicone Food Container

CaliBowls (available in ceramic and BPA-free plastic)

The new SantaBarbara and Toddler CaliBowl with suction cup bottom are perfect for toddlers learning to feed themselves, especially with it’s ingenious lip to help those little hands scoop out the food.

CaliBowl Santa Barbara Ceramic

Kinderville Silicone Dishes and Storage Jars

Kinderville Silicone Food Storage Jars

Kinderville Silicone Freezer Trays

Kinderville Silicone Popsicle Mold

Thinkbaby Stainless Steel Insulated Bento Box

Thinkbaby Bento Container

Lunchsense Lock & Lock Containers

Lunchsense Lock-down Containers

Pyrex, Corningware and Corelle

All Pyrex, Corningware and Corelle products are made with safer plastic: bakeware, food storage, measuring cups, mixing bowls and lids.

Pyrex Glass Bake Serve and Store Set

Pyrex Smart Essentials Mixing Bowls

Corningware Pop-ins Bake and Serve

Anchor Hocking Glass

All Anchor Hocking products are made with safer plastic: bakeware, food storage, measuring cups, mixing bowls and lids.

Anchor Hocking Kitchen Storage Containers

Anchor Hocking Measuring Cups and Batter Bowls

Snapware Glass Lock

The Snapware Glass Lock containers and lids are safer, but not all Snapware plastic products are BPA/PVC/phthalate-free at this time.

Snapware Glass Lock Containers

Kinetic Go Green Glasslock

All Kinetic containers are made with safer plastic (including their non-glass Premium line).

Kinetic Go Green Glasslock Containers

Bormioli Rocco Frigoverre

Frigoverre Fun glass containers have new BPA-free soft seal lids that fit perfectly to the glass, preserving food’s freshness longer. The clear window at the top lets you see what’s inside from all angles and the lipped lid ensures easy open. They’re fully stackable too!

Frigoverre Fun Glass Storage Dishes by Bormioli Rocco

Bormioli Rocco Frigoverre Glass Storage Set

Onyx Stainless Steel Ice Cube Trays

Onyx Stainless Steel Ice Cube Trays

Ecolunchbox

ECOlunchboxes Stainless Steel Containers

LunchBots

LunchBots are 100% stainless steel, including the lids

Lunchbots Stainless Steel Food Containers

Healthy Kitchenware

This Lunch Carrier comes with a stainless steel lid, and the sauce container lid is made with safer plastic.

Stainless Steel Lunch Carrier with Sauce Container

Greentainer Stainless Steel Lunchbox

Greentainer Lunchbox

To-Go Ware

To-Go Ware makes a tremendous line of plastic-free, stainless steel food containers

To-Go Ware Stackable Tiffins and Sauce Containers

All-Clad

This particular All-Clad Stainless Steel Canister Set is made with only stainless steel and glass

All-Clad Stainless Steel Canister Set with Glass Lids

Kids Konserve

Kid Konserve offers many different eco-friendly container options. Their plastic lids and reusable food wraps are made with safer plastic.

Kid Konserve Food Cozy

Kids Konserve Round Containers

Kid Konserve Mini Stainless Steel Containers

Thermos

Thermos has been in the food and drink business for a long time. Well, now they’ve gone and made their adult Food Jars look fantastic! Their insulated stainless steel food jars come in many different colors and sizes, and all are made with small amounts of safer plastic.

Thermos Stainless Steel Insulated Food Jars

Oxo Pop Plastic Containers

Oxo has outdone themselves with the Good Grips Pop Plastic Containers container line! They even landed the Red Dot Award for Product Design 2008. All Pop containers are made with BPA/PVC/phthalate-free plastic.

Oxo Good Grips Pop Plastic Containers

TellFresh Containers

TellFresh Plastic Snack Boxes and Food Storage Containers are made from safer polypropylene (#5) plastic. They’re simple, but get the job done.

TellFresh Plastic Snack Boxes and Food Storage Containers

Laptop Lunches

Laptop Lunches bento boxes also make a great reusable to-go container.

http://www.thesoftlanding.com/Laptop-Lunches-s/175.htm

SnackTaxi

Snack and sandwich sizes are cloth lined with tough nylon to help keep moisture in.

Snack Taxi Sandwich

3GreenMoms

3GreenMoms has just come out with an innovative design in reusable cloth pouches. They are made from a high quality, moisture-proof German fabric used worldwide in the food industry. These bags are food safe, extremely durable, grease-proof and can even be thrown in the dishwasher. They come in a set of two, one orange and one green, and are perfect for lunch or snack pairings of fruit, sandwiches or chips. Made in the USA.

Lunch Skins Reusable Bags

Plum Creek Mercantile

The folks at Plum Creek Mercantile have provided 100% cotton twill snack bags and food bags in an effort to help you avoid filling the landfill with plastic baggies. Although they are not to be used for liquid (i.e. soup) or soft fruit items (i.e. raspberries due to staining) they can be used to contain most lunch box items. Even a gooey PB&J or turkey sandwich will stay contained in this bag. A simple washing after its use will remove any extra gooeyness that has been contained by the fabric. They can be machine washed and dried or handwashed with the dinner dishes and hung to dry for use the next morning. Each bag has a strong and secure hook and loop closure, yet easy enough for even the littlest of hands to open.

Plum Creek Reusable Plastic-free Snack Bags

Fresh Snack Packs

The reusable Fresh Snack Pack bags are Mom-invented and are made from durable EVA, which is a great alternative to PVC, and even have a built-in placemat. They definitely send a great message to our kids and schools about the importance of reusing all that we can.

Fresh Snack Packs

Graze Organic Reusable Sandwich and Snack Bags

Graze Organic Reusable Sandwich and Snack Bags

Check back often, as we’ll continue to update our list as we come across more safer food storage containers!

Search our product database for toxin-free food storage!

Enjoy this article? Get updates delivered to your inbox!

Pin it

http://changebecomeschange.typepad.com/ Gina

I am SO impressed with this list – so comprehensive. We've been buying Pyrex only since we know they're safe but am so glad to have more options! Thanks for pulling this all together. I was just starting to research food containers for my son who'll start eating lunch at school this fall.

Any recommendations on lunch containers for kids that are easy for them to open without assistance and can stand up to the dishwasher? Those are our points of frustration with those we've bought so far.
Agnes

Do you have any information on Martha Stewart glass storage containers? They are similar to the Anchor Hocking Glass line and have a green plastic lid. Curious about the lids now that I have been doing some research.
Thanks!
Agnes

Do you have any information on Martha Stewart glass storage containers? They are similar to the Anchor Hocking Glass line and have a green plastic lid. Curious about the lids now that I have been doing some research.
Thanks!
Pingback: Twitter Trackbacks for BPA, PVC and Phthalate Free Food Storage Containers | The Soft Landing Blog [thesoftlandingbaby.com] on Topsy.com
Anne

If a food storage container is bpa-free, can you safely heat food in it in the microwave? Also, is it safe to wash bpa-free containers in the dishwasher without causing any concerns about the safety of the food stored in them?Must you cool all foods before storing them in bpa-free containers? What I'm concerned about is the heat factor.
http://condo-blues.blogspot.com/ condoblues

Once of the nice things about the Anchor Hocking products is that they are made in Ohio so they are local to me!
Melissa

You might want to check out something new. Its glass and stainless steel. The glass is freezer, dishwasher, microwave and oven safe! The lid is stainless steel and completely screws on to the glass so theres no leakage, no freezer burn and no contamination. It has measurement markings of 50ml, 100ml, 150ml & 200ml so you can fill them according to your childs appetite and they are etched into the glass so they wont come off. Best of all it is patent pending and designed wholly by a mum! Check it out http://www.tinytastebuds.com.au
Jena

There is no such thing as “safe” or “safer” plastic. Most of these products have plastic lids… that's only lessening exposure, not cutting out exposure completely. The stainless steel, pyrex, cloth varieties are a safer bet. I would stay away from the silicon option completely (especially for children!!)… as that opens a whole new unsafe can of worms.
chipseloy

Are you certain the snapware glass lock lids are bpa free? I went to their website & they don't specify. All they say is that they have a silicone seal.
http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

We've discussed often on our blog that manufacturer's are not required to label their products with materials used. So many times you will not find that information on their website either. That's what we do here at The Soft Landing, contact manufacturers and confirm the materials used so that we can provide lists of safe options in eating gear.

If you're still unsure of our findings, you may want to contact them directly to confirm.

Best,

Alicia
Pingback: Christmas Cool « My list of Coolness Blog
jamie

Can you tell which of these products are manufactured in the United States?
http://www.preschoolbackpack.net/ preschool_backpack

I'm not finished read this yet, but it's so fabulous 'n I'll back again when I was finished my job
Pingback: Celebrating 2 years of Eco Women: BPA-free baby products « Eco Women: Protectors of the Planet!
http://www.stonewaremugs.net/ Stoneware Mugs

Great post!! Those are safe enough for our kids. And all are great in design.
http://foodpyramidguru.com/ Food pyramid

What's the most important lesson you have learned from living on your food storage ?
http://www.yummum.com.au/aboutus.php easy home cooked meals

This would be perfect! it looks so adorable.
http://www.bakewareset.us bakewar eset

good posting.I can’t see some pictures ,maybe my internet is slow
samtysrt

To provide services to small organizations now we are proudly says that we have big corporate clients. We have a proven track record of servicing clients. laptops in pakistan
http://www.boxescrates.net Boxes Crates

Bravo, Bros! keep going like this, more good info again.
http://www.mbt-outlet-store.com mbt outlet

Well , the view of the passage is totally correct ,your details is really reasonable and you guy give us valuable informative post, I totally agree the standpoint of upstairs. I often surfing on this forum when I m free and I find there are so much good information we can learn in this forum!
http://www.sin-game.com
http://www.wickerbenchstorage.net/corner-storage-bench Corner storage bench

This is so interested! Where can I find more like this?
Pingback: BPA, PVC and Phthalate Free Food Storage Containers | GreenBrig
Plastic Food Storage

Would it, in the end, be far more economical, not to mention more environmentally friendly, to spend a bit more money on better plastic food storage containers than those disposable ones. The short answer is, yes.
Anonymous

You can just order them from ebay and they’ll ship it to you via FedEx or DLH in 3 days, of course you’ll have to pay $12 more for the shipping, but overall I think it’s worth it. You can also drive down to some of the restaurants in Washington DC and ask them where they buy their Snapware glasslock, because they probably have a discount supplier.
Diana

You can find at this web page http://www.biokitchenstore.com food storage container to use for short term 100% made of plants that you can put in the microwave. It is great! even plastic #5 has some substances that can affect our health. Please read http://www.ewg.org/node/27344)
Ann

I read a canadian article explaining why they were banning our #7 plastics when they were BPA free and it stated that when tested our made in the USA and imported BPA free products were not BPA free at all.
http://twitter.com/broadviewinnova broadviewinnovations

Moving Home? At Smart Storage Boxes we offer a wide selection of moving boxes, packs, bubble wraps, foam protectors, loose fills,tissue papers with tapes and markers to meet your requirements. For details log on to http://smartstorageboxes.co.uk
D.Scho

Very interesting. I’m wondering where this information came from and how reliable it is. I’m having a really hard time finding safe food containers because I find that companies claim they are safe because the bottom is glass, but they don’t mention any specific information about the plastic lids. Right now I’m looking for small glass (or otherwise safe) bowls (10-16 oz.) with lids so I can pack Greek yogurt and fruit for my lunches. Pyrex has glass bowls and “safer” plastic lids, according to this author. But, is “safer” safe enough to warrant my spending all this money to get rid of plastic tupperware to replace it with glass containers with PLASTIC lids??? I’m not loving the Pyrex option anyway because I’ve read reviews. People say the bowls don’t nest, so they take up a lot of storage space, as you have to stack them one on top of the other. I’ve also read that if you TRY to nest them, they they get stuck together and the rim chips and breaks. What would be so hard for Pyrex to simply make the bottom of the bowls smaller in diameter than the top opening??? This way they’d nest! People have said the rims also chip in the dishwasher, so I guess the rims are weak in general.

Again, like I said, I’m wondering where the author got the above information. I received the OXO Good Grips POP food containers 1.5 years ago as a wedding gift. And I LOVE them! But, as I’ve recently started worrying about plastic food storage, I looked on the bottom of the containers. They are made with type 7 plastic…which according to my research is BAD because it contains toxins. However, the containers also say BPA free on the bottom. This worried me. I’m thinking, maybe they ARE BPA free, but maybe they have other toxins. Kind of lying/false advertising without actually lying, maybe? Lying by omission, I suppose? I don’t know! I’m really not sure. Maybe the OXO containers are 100% safe. I just wish companies would be a lot more open and in your face about this stuff! I just don’t want to eat out of poison…is that too much to ask!?

If the above information is 100% reliable, and I can trust that my OXO containers ARE safe…great! But, I’m still kind of worried, knowing that they’re made from type 7 plastic. They are really expensive to throw away when I’m not even sure what they’re made of! I just want SAFE food storage, that is well-made, won’t break easily, is dishwasher safe, and is able to nest inside each other for space efficient storage. If someone would make such products, I’d be happy to buy them! I’d even be happy to purchase an expensive product! But instead, all I ever see are expensive products that have at least one undesirable characteristic OR don’t CLEARLY state that ALL of the product is safe. Why would I purchase an overpriced product that I’m not 100% happy with?

http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

Hi D.Scho,

Thanks for your thoughtful comment! While we can’t guarantee 100% accurate information, we do go through a lengthy interview process with each manufacturer before adding their products our shopping guides. And as for whether there are other toxic chemicals, we are able to gather information on specific materials used and then we’re usually able to tell whether we’re looking at a possible unknown chemical. Most plastics are made kind of like a cookie recipe – they can be single plastics (like polypropylene) or mixed plastics (like #7 in the recycling categories, where you’ll find layered and combined plastics that are still BPA-free). As in a recipe, the ingredients are usually pretty clear and they’re either in the product or they’re not.

Hope that helps a little!

http://security-wire.com/12/how-to-remove-easy-scan-fake-security-program.html remove easy scan

I like Lock containers:)
Pingback: ORGANIC REUSABLE BAGS | Kids and Family Products
Missyj1177

This list is great! I was wondering, are there good options for baby food freezing that aren’t expensive? Beaba has the freezer trays, but they are about $25 each!
Pingback: Guest Blog: How to Plan Toxic-free Holiday Meals | A green living, green parenting blog
http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

Hi Rachel,

Some Tupperware products are still made with polycarbonate plastic (containing BPA). They make it very clear that they see no issue with using it and have plans to continue doing so. At least they now have a list of products and the type plastic used posted on their website now. You can cross-check it before purchasing any Tupperware products here.

Hope that helps,

Alicia
http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

Hi Willowsprite,

Glad you like it!

No, we most likely won’t be carrying all of the products listed. We’ll pick our very favorites (and would love to hear yours too), because we have limited warehouse space with the other 40+ brands we sell now

Alicia
http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

You’re very welcome, Multi-Tasking Mommy! We’re thrilled to hear you found it helpful

Alicia
http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

Hi Fiona,

You’re welcome! We’re just getting started on food processors and will be writing an article with our findings soon.

Alicia
http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

Hi Jen,

We posted some info and a link to Rubbermaid’s website where they offer a list of all their BPA-free products. You can find it here.

Alicia

BPA, PVC and Phthalate-free Food Storage Containers

You may also like:

Trusted Sponsors

About The Soft Landing

Subscribe by email

Meet the Team