The Best Nontoxic Food Containers for Kids: Safe & Eco-Friendly Picks
Mar 13, 2025Amazon affiliate links are used in this post.
Why Choosing Nontoxic Food Containers for Kids Matters
Many conventional plastic food containers contain harmful chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and lead, which can leach into food, especially when exposed to heat. These chemicals have been linked to hormonal disruptions, developmental issues, and other health concerns.
Switching to safer, nontoxic food containers not only protects your child's health but also helps reduce plastic waste, making it a win-win for your family and the planet.
What to Look for in a Nontoxic Food Container
When selecting food containers for kids, consider these key factors:
✅ Material Safety: Opt for stainless steel, beeswax paper, unbleached parchment paper, or glass (for older kids and for home) to avoid toxic chemicals from plastic, microplastics, and nanoplastics.
✅ Durability: Kids can be rough with their lunchboxes, so choose break-resistant materials.
✅ Weight: Containers need to be light for kids.
✅ Leak-Proof Design: Essential for preventing spills in backpacks.
✅ Ease of Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe options save time for busy parents.
✅ Eco-Friendliness: Reusable, long-lasting materials reduce waste.
A blender with smoothie ingredients, highlighting potential toxins like BPA, PFAS, and microplastics.
Top Nontoxic Food Containers for Kids
Here are some of the best BPA-free, chemical-free, plastic-free lunchbox options for kids, along with their key features and price ranges.
1. Stainless Steel Bento Boxes & Containers (Durable & Safe)
Stainless steel is non-toxic, rust-resistant, and highly durable, making it an excellent alternative to plastic. There are different "formulas" of stainless steel. Ideally, I would choose 18/10 stainless steel.
- When you see 18/8 stainless steel, know that it is a lower quality.
- If you are sensitive to nickel, look for 18/0 stainless steel, which has the least amount of nickel. For most people, stainless steel is inert and a practical nontoxic option.
- Notes:
- 304 stainless steel is similar to 18/10 stainless steel but has less nickel. To learn more about stainless steel in your kitchen items, read "What is the safest stainless steel for cookware, food containers, and flatware?"
- 316 is better than 304 stainless steel food containers but it's impossible to find (416 is even better but even harder to find). 304 stainless steel is most common but 316 is more corrosive-resistant. Salt and acidic foods would wear at 304 stainless steel.
While 18/10 stainless steel would be ideal for food containers, I couldn't find 18/10 stainless steel food storage products. Most often, they are made of 18/8 or stainless steel in the 200 series (this will corrode more quickly and easily than the 300 series stainless steel). So the options in the table below are in 18/8 stainless steel or the manufacturer didn't specify which type of stainless steel is used but it seemed like the best available option for the product type, like the PlanetBox bento box.
| Product | Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| PlanetBox Rover | 5 compartments, dishwasher-safe, built-in sections for variety | $43 |
| LunchBots Trio | Options for different sizes and number of compartments, dishwasher-safe | $20-$35 |
| Umigy Stainless Steel Bento Box | Options for different sizes and number of compartments, dishwasher-safe | $20-$66 |
| Premium Stainless Steel Food Storage Containers 304 Grade The Original Leak-Proof, Airtight, Smell-Proof - Perfect For Camping Trips, Lunches, Leftovers, Soups, Salads | Great to carry to restaurants for restaurant takeout containers, leftovers, or to travel with because containers can "nest" within each other to become space efficient when clean. | $24 |
Silicone is used in the lids of some stainless steel food containers, which helps discourage leakage of liquids. This is relatively fine since it won't have constant contact with food.
👉 Best For: Parents looking for durable, long-lasting lunch containers.
2. Silicone Snack Bags & Pouches (Reusable & BPA-Free But May Contain Other Toxic Chemicals)
While silicone is a reportedly a safer alternative to plastic because it's flexible, durable, and free from harmful chemicals like phthalates and BPA, I avoid it. Chemical formulas to create silicone vary greatly and it's hard to know which silicone products are truly safe and if they're safe under the conditions in which you would use them.
For example, silicone baking products may release even more chemicals, including endocrine disruptors, if heated, scratched, or through normal wear and tear with age. In December 2022, the European Consumer Organization (BEUC) found that "82% of the samples [of baking molds sold in Europe] were found to contain substances of concern “such as suspected endocrine disruptors, or substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic,” albeit at low levels."
Given our track record of taking along time to know if a material or product is safe, I rather be conservative with this relatively recently popular material that replaces plastic in many items. I view it as risky as plastic. However, if you're looking for silicone anyway, below are some options. Ideally, you want to find medical-grade silicone, which I rarely find in household products. Most often, I see food-grade silicone and sometimes FDA-grade silicone.
3. Beeswax Snack Bags & Pouches (Reusable & Practically Nontoxic)
As an alternative to silicone products, you could use beeswax snack bags and wraps. Based on what I've read so far, this should be a good option. Look for products that are GOTS-certified (there aren't many but I suspect more will become available over time). Try to confirm that no additional chemicals are added.
| Product | Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Reusable Beeswax Wrap | 9 Pack Beeswax Wraps for Food, Eco-Friendly Beeswax Food Wraps, Bread Sandwich Wrapper - Organic, Sustainable, Zero Waste, Reusable Plastic-Free Food Storage Wrap. I like that this is GOTS-certified! | $15 |
| Bee's Wrap | Reusable Snack Bags for Back to School, Made in the USA, Eco Friendly Food Wraps, Sustainable Food Storage, Reusable Bags (1 Snack, 1 Sandwich), Vegan Alternative to Beeswax Wraps | $15 |
👉 Best For: Replacing disposable plastic bags for snacks, sandwiches, and small meals.
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4. Parchment Paper Snack Bags
Parchment paper is a staple in my kitchen. You can use these parchment paper bags for snacks and sandwiches, and tuck them into a stainless steel containers so they don't get smushed. Or, if you need the whole lunch packaging to be disposable (like for a field trip) then just put them in a paper bag.
| Product | Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| If You Care Sandwich Bags | FSC Certified unbleached bags, have not been chemically treated and do not contain wax. Our FSC Certified unbleached bags are made of greaseproof, nonstick paper which is biodegradable, compostable, and microwave safe. They’re designed to be used with sandwiches that have butter, mayonnaise or oil. | $5 |
👉 Best For: Food and snack packaging materials that need to be 100% disposable.
5. Glass Containers with Cork Lids (Best for Home Use & Older Kids)
Glass shouldn't be handled by kids who may drop or break it. However, glass is non-toxic and doesn’t absorb odors or stains so it's great for home-use and older kids who won't get hurt handling glass.
| Product | Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Glass Storage Containers with cork Lid | Borosilicate Glass, Cork Lids, 16oz-21oz | $14-$25 (set of 4) |
| Borosilicate Glass Storage jar | Borosilicate Glass, Cork Lids, 21 oz. | $14-$36 |
👉 Best For: Parents who prefer glass and need spill-proof containers for home or older kids.
Additional Tips for a Nontoxic Lunchbox
✅ Ditch Plastic Wrap & Aluminum Foil – Use beeswax wraps, wood lids, or cork lids instead.
✅ Choose Wooden or Stainless Steel Utensils – Avoid plastic utensils to reduce microplastic exposure.
✅ Use Natural Dish Soap for Cleaning – Prevent chemical residues from lingering on food surfaces.
Final Thoughts: Which Nontoxic Food Container is Best for Your Child?
The best choice depends on your priorities:
- If you need a long-lasting, non-toxic option, go for stainless steel bento boxes.
- If you want an easy-to-pack, lightweight solution, beeswax or parchment paper snack bags are perfect.
- If your kids can handle glass safely, glass containers are ideal for food storage at home.
- If sustainability is your top concern, any of the above are great eco-friendly choices.
Switching to nontoxic food containers is an easy yet impactful step toward reducing your child's exposure to harmful chemicals. Plus, these alternatives help create a more sustainable, waste-free lifestyle for the entire family!
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