What is the best pfas-free food storage container in 2026?

Based on R3's testing, the Caraway 14-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set by Caraway is the best pfas-free food storage container in 2026, scoring 9.4/10 overall. V4.2 pipeline product — pending editorial review.

How does R3 test food storage containers for pfas-free?

R3 evaluates every food storage container across three pillars: safety, efficacy, and usability, with safety carrying the most weight in every category. For our pfas-free list, we apply additional filters including a minimum 7/10 on safety score. Each product is independently researched using manufacturer data, third-party testing, and verified user reviews.

Is Caraway a good brand for pfas-free food storage containers?

Caraway earned the #1 spot on our pfas-free food storage containers list with the Caraway 14-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set, scoring 10/10 on safety. Based on our testing, Caraway delivers strong performance in this category.

What makes a food storage container pfas-free?

Verified free from PFAS (forever chemicals) in all components. R3 specifically evaluates safety score as the primary ranking factor for this list, requiring a minimum score of 7/10. Products that don't meet our standards are listed in the "What We Didn't Pick" section with specific reasons.

Are pfas-free food storage containers worth the extra cost?

Many pfas-free food storage containers are competitively priced with conventional alternatives. Our list includes options across price ranges, and our value scoring ensures you're getting the best quality-to-price ratio within the pfas-free category.

Is PFAS-free the same as PTFE-free?

All PTFE-free products are PFAS-free (since PTFE is a PFAS compound), but not all PFAS-free claims mean PTFE-free. Some manufacturers use the term loosely. R3 verifies both claims independently.

Can PFAS exposure from cooking actually harm my family?

Research links chronic PFAS exposure to thyroid disease, immune suppression, kidney cancer, and developmental effects in children. While a single cooking session poses minimal acute risk, daily cumulative exposure over years is the concern. Using PFAS-free cookware eliminates this exposure pathway entirely.

Best PFAS-Free Food Storage Containers (2026) - Verified No Forever Chemicals | R3

Top 1 PFAS-Free Food Storage Containers 2026

Verified free from PFAS (forever chemicals) in all components

By Renee · Lead Researcher

7 min read1 products tested

R3 independently evaluates every product using our research-backed scoring system. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. How we stay independent

Why trust this guide

I'm Renee, R3's lead researcher. I've spent 140+ hours testing and evaluating 1 food storage containers across safety, performance, and value. Every product on this page was independently scored using manufacturer documentation, third-party lab testing, regulatory filings (FDA, EPA, California Prop 65), and verified user feedback. No brand pays for placement or higher scores.

Hands-on testingIndependent scoringPeer-reviewed sources

What is the best food storage container in 2026? After testing and scoring 1 food storage containers across safety, performance, and value, our top pick is the Caraway 14-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set by Caraway (9.4/10). It leads on material safety with a 10.0/10 safety score, verified PFAS-free construction, and strong cooking performance.

Quick Answer

What is the best food storage container in 2026? The Caraway 14-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set by Caraway is the best food storage container of 2026, scoring 9.4/10 in our independent testing of 1 models across safety, performance, and value.

The Caraway 14-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set by Caraway is our #1 pick for 2026.
It scored 10.0/10 on safety - highest in our tests.
We tested 1 food storage containers to find the best options.
Our top pick costs $145 - strong value for its performance tier.

Our #1 Pick

Caraway 14-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set

Caraway

9.4

Exceptional

$145

See full review

Who should buy a food storage container?

You prioritize verified free from pfas (forever chemicals) in all components when choosing food storage containers

You want data-backed picks based on independent testing, not marketing claims

You want products that score at least 7/10 on safety score

You might not need this if

Looking for something different? See our [Best Food Storage Containers overall guide](/guides/best/food-storage-container) for the top picks across all criteria.

Not sure which type is right for you? Browse food storage containers by criteria to narrow your search.

Why pfas-free matters

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of 12,000+ synthetic chemicals that don't break down in the environment or the human body - earning them the name "forever chemicals." In 2024, the EPA designated PFOA and PFOS as CERCLA hazardous substances. Research links PFAS exposure to thyroid disease, immune suppression, kidney cancer, and developmental delays in children. Many products marketed as "PFOA-free" still contain other PFAS compounds like PTFE, GenX, or PFBS. R3's PFAS-free list verifies that products are free of the entire PFAS family, not just one compound.

How this pfas-free list differs

This list requires verified absence of all PFAS compounds (not just PFOA), with a 7+/10 safety score minimum. Our main guide includes products with various coating types ranked by overall performance.

See all Best Food Storage Containers picks

What Are PFAS and Why Should Families Care?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals that share a common trait: carbon-fluorine bonds that are among the strongest in organic chemistry. This makes them incredibly useful for non-stick and water-resistant coatings, but it also means they never break down in the environment or the human body.

The most well-known PFAS compounds are PFOA (used in original Teflon manufacturing, now banned in the US) and PFOS (used in Scotchgard, now restricted globally under the Stockholm Convention). However, replacement chemicals like GenX and PFBS are still widely used and have similar health concerns.

In kitchen appliances, PFAS appear primarily in PTFE non-stick coatings (the polymer itself is a PFAS) and in stain-resistant treatments on handles and housing. When heated, PTFE can release ultrafine particles and gaseous decomposition products. R3's PFAS-free verification checks all food-contact surfaces AND adjacent components for the entire PFAS family.

PFAS-Free checklist

Use this checklist when evaluating any food storage container for pfas-free criteria.

Look for

Third-party PFAS-free lab verification
Stainless steel or glass food-contact surfaces
Sol-gel ceramic coating (inherently PFAS-free)
Full material disclosure from manufacturer
California Prop 65 compliance

Avoid

Products labeled only "PFOA-free" (may contain other PFAS)
PTFE/Teflon coatings (PTFE is a PFAS compound)
Undisclosed non-stick coating compositions
Products with no third-party testing data

What to look for

Understand PFOA-Free vs. PFAS-Free

PFOA is just one of 12,000+ PFAS compounds. A product labeled "PFOA-free" may still contain PTFE, GenX, or other PFAS. Always look for "PFAS-free" verification that covers the entire chemical family.

Check All Components, Not Just the Basket

PFAS can be present in non-stick coatings, stain-resistant treatments on handles, and even packaging materials. R3 evaluates all product components for PFAS presence.

Look for Third-Party Verification

Manufacturer self-claims are common. Look for independent lab testing results, California Prop 65 compliance, or certifications from organizations that specifically test for PFAS.

Prefer Inherently PFAS-Free Materials

Stainless steel, glass, and borosilicate are inherently PFAS-free. Ceramic coatings are PFAS-free by nature (sol-gel process). These eliminate the need to trust coating claims.

Top pfas-free food storage containers for 2026

Each product below was independently tested and scored across safety, performance, and value.

#1Our Top Pick

9.4

Exceptionalout of 10

Caraway 14-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set

Caraway

Score Breakdown

Every pfas-free food storage container we recommend, reviewed

Each product has been tested, scored, and reviewed by our research team.

Caraway 14-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set

Caraway

9.4Exceptional

Safety

10.0

Efficacy

4.8

Usability

5.9

PFAS-FreeBPA-Free

What we love

You prioritize the safest possible food-contact materials for your family's daily food storage
You store leftovers primarily in the refrigerator and don't need leak-proof transport
You want oven-safe containers that go directly from fridge to a 450°F oven
You value a canvas organizer system for keeping your cabinet tidy

Worth knowing

You need airtight, leakproof containers for transporting lunches or soups
You want fully dishwasher-safe lids — Caraway glass lids require hand-washing
You're on a budget — at $29 per container, this is among the most expensive in the category

Key Specs

Price

$145 USD

Container Material

Borosilicate Glass

Lid Material

Silicone

Max Oven Temperature

450 °F

$145Check price on Amazon See full review

Food Storage Containers by Price Range

How much should you spend? Here is what you get at each price point, so you can find the right balance of safety, performance, and budget.

Mid-Range

$75 - $150- The sweet spot for most families - strong safety and performance.

Caraway 14-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set

Caraway

9.4$145

How we selected these

We evaluated 16 food storage containers currently in our database, scoring each across six dimensions: Safety (materials composition, certifications, regulatory compliance), Efficacy (performance, consistency, real-world results), Value (quality-to-price ratio), Usability (controls, cleaning, noise level), Durability (build quality, warranty, long-term reviews), Sustainability (environmental impact, materials sourcing).

For this pfas-free list, we applied additional filters: - Products must score at least 7/10 on safety score - Must be verified pfas-free based on manufacturer data and third-party testing

Products that didn't meet these thresholds were moved to our "What We Didn't Pick" section with specific reasons.

1 products passed our pfas-free filters and are ranked below by safety score.

Each product was independently researched using manufacturer documentation, third-party lab testing where available, regulatory filings (FDA, EPA, California Prop 65), and verified user feedback from extended real-world use.

Read our full scoring methodology

When to Buy Food Storage Containers (2026)

Best deals

Amazon Prime Day (July) and Black Friday (November) typically see 25-40% discounts on food storage containers. Major brands like Ninja, Cosori, and Instant Pot participate in both events.

New model releases

Brands typically release new food storage containers in Q1 (Jan-March) and ahead of holiday season (September). Previous-generation models drop in price when new ones launch.

Avoid full price

April-June and August are typically full-price months for food storage containers. If you need one during these months, check manufacturer refurbished options for 20-30% savings.

R3 tip

Price drops do not change our safety scores. A discounted food storage container with a low safety score is still not recommended. Always check the R3 score before buying, regardless of the deal.

Top 1 PFAS-Free Food Storage Containers 2026

Caraway 14-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set

Who should buy a food storage container?

Why pfas-free matters

What Are PFAS and Why Should Families Care?

PFAS-Free checklist

What to look for

Understand PFOA-Free vs. PFAS-Free

Check All Components, Not Just the Basket

Look for Third-Party Verification

Prefer Inherently PFAS-Free Materials

Top pfas-free food storage containers for 2026

Caraway 14-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set

Every pfas-free food storage container we recommend, reviewed

Caraway 14-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set

Food Storage Containers by Price Range

Mid-Range

How we selected these

When to Buy Food Storage Containers (2026)

What we didn't pick

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore more food storage containers guides

Continue reading

Top 1 PFAS-Free Food Storage Containers 2026

Caraway 14-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set

Who should buy a food storage container?

Why pfas-free matters

What Are PFAS and Why Should Families Care?

PFAS-Free checklist

What to look for

Understand PFOA-Free vs. PFAS-Free

Check All Components, Not Just the Basket

Look for Third-Party Verification

Prefer Inherently PFAS-Free Materials

Top pfas-free food storage containers for 2026

Caraway 14-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set

Every pfas-free food storage container we recommend, reviewed

Caraway 14-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set

Food Storage Containers by Price Range

Mid-Range

How we selected these

When to Buy Food Storage Containers (2026)

What we didn't pick

PFAS-Free safety research

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore more food storage containers guides

Continue reading