Tupperware Items Made From #7 Plastic
Posted in BPA Plastics on June 14, 2008
In your purge of kitchen plastics, you might have noticed that Tupperware products are not coded with resin codes. This is because Tupperware products have a lifetime guarantee and were not intended for recycling (hence they were not labeled with recycling codes). In a time where parents are concerned about what types of plastic holds their food and beverages, I wanted to find out what types of plastic they use. Here is what I emailed Tupperware:
I noticed your products do not have recycling codes on the bottom. What type of plastic is Tupperware made from. Is it BPA free? If not, do you have a recall list of products?
I received lots of good information back from their representative that anyone can view on their website. From their response I have good news and bad news about Tupperware. Which would you like first? Let’s start with the good. Tupperware has listed their products detailing the different types of plastic each is made from. This documentation is very clear if you remember the name of your Tupperware products (Rock ‘N Serve, etc.). Personally, I know that would be gone from my memory years after purchasing it. But if you can remember, this guide will be very helpful. As you can see from their documentation, the three main plastics they use are 4, 5, and also 7.
The bad news is yes, Tupperware has made some products with Polycarbonate plastic (#7). A quote their site “Polycarbonate is used in a small percentage of our products, primarily those intended for high heat resistance, as well as some serving lines.”And another snipet from the Polycarbonate Concerns release ”Based on the repeated governmental scrutiny that polycarbonate has had by various regulatory agencies, Tupperware continues to believe the material is safe. As we have the highest regard and concern for the safety of our consumers, however, we will continue to closely monitor this scientific debate and conduct our own research into the best materials for use in Tupperware products.” So to summarize….Tupperware thinks that food storage containers made from #7 plastics are safe. That is a scary statement. We know not all #7 plastics contain BPA, but as a parent, just seeing the symbol is enough to cause concern when trying to eliminate all kitchen products containing the chemical. I am surprised that I didn’t see any statements regarding a recall on these items if a customer was concerned. I have sent back a response to Tupperware asking if they are reimbursing people if they are concerned about a Tupperware product made from #7 plastic. For now, here is the list of 9 Tupperware items (as outlined on their website) that are made from #7 plastic:
Heat ‘N Serve/Rock ‘N Serve: Container
Ice Prisms: Bowls, Pitcher & Tumbler Set
Kitchen Duos
Microsteamer: Base
Microwave Cooker – Oval: Cover
Microwave Luncheon Plate
Quick Chef Base
Sheerly Elegant Line
Tumbler Bouquet & Pitcher Set: Pitcher
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I have old and new containers and would like to know which are safe. Perhaps tupperware could show pictures as I am sure many of us do not remembertheir names.
I agree Madelyn…I googled this trying to find some for you..but didn’t have any luck. I’m acutally surprised at the lack of customer service Tupperware has exibited by not putting out a recall list and refund on these products like most other companies have. I would contact their CS dept. and request pictures. Great idea and good luck!
Suzanne
I was just purging my kitchen of “bad plastics” and discovered that some oval containers about 6″ tall are marked with the #3 recycle code which is apparently the worst of the worst plastic. The taller version of this container is marked with #4 – not sure how bad that is, and the lids are not marked at all. My larger oval cereal containers are not marked either. Don’t know what to do about all this except of course to get rid of the #3′s.
I am worried about using the Tupperware UltraPlus. I don’t know what type of plastic it is made of.
Hi Hadeel,
As a person that hasn’t purchased Tupperware before, the names of the products are not easily recognizable. I’ve checked the Tupperware product listing via the below link and couldn’t find anything matching the description Tupperware UltraPlus.
I would email or call Tupperware to find out what type of plastic it is made from. If they confirm that it’s made from #7 polycarbonate plastic I would ask for my money back. Let me know how it goes!
Suzanne
Founder Mommy Footprint
the numbers on the storage tupperware containers are sizes #1,2,3,4,5 nothing to do with the type of plastic being used in tupperware. If you read the tupperware article carefully there is no reason to recall the product according to regulation and guide lines set by the government. tupperware surpassed all level of testing for safety.
Hi Doreen..thanks for the comment. You are correct that the sizes are not a reflection of what type of plastic tupperware uses. They don’t list what type of plastic they use on the products, however they did list polycarbonate, BPA, #7 plastics in several of their items. The link I attached in the article confirms that – even Tupperware is not arguing this point. My disappoint with Tupperware is that they wouldn’t offer a refund to a customer that isn’t comfortable using this product after finding out (from the Tupperware site) that it contains BPA and is made from polycarbonate plastic.
I used to sell tupperware in the late 70′s and ealy 80′s. Several of the pieces that I still have are in excellent condition such as the bread keeper and the smaller cracker keeper. The problem is that they have a odor to them and my crackers smell like that and taste horrible when they are left in the containers. I am not sure why that is but I am going back to glass, which is beter for our enviroment and does not outgas.
I just found a Tupperware rock and serve container with the recycling symbol and a 7 inside the triangle. So this is something to think about Doreen. I may just purge it all and switch to glass, like pyrex.
Hello, I would like to share with all of you that as of this past March 2010 Tupperware is 100% BPA Free including the items mentioned above (some of them are not actually available right now) If you would like some documentation to support it please email me and I can forward you the press release I received from our corporate office.
Alice, if you are finding some of products have that odor you are refering to I would contact a consultant in your area and request it be replaced under the life time warrenty program. I have been doing that for my customers.
Thank You Julie
I realized my contact info did not show up on the post:
JulieStAmand@my.tupperware.ca
Thank You ! Very well written and nice to read! Very informative
Alice, thank you for saying your Tupperware makes your food smell and taste bad. In the past year, I am having the same problem and can’t find any info about this issue. My modular mates are less than 8 years old and certain crackers/cereals have a strong odor/taste after being stored in the container. The container smelled fine before I put the food in but smells toxic after having the food stored. Not sure if change in snack recipe or these containers were made defective. Who knows if China added some weird chemical in the plastic to cut costs back then like they did with lead in toys!
I am a TW consultant, and have replaced some products for customers lately due to that “crayon-like” smell – the smell is not covered under the warranty. Someone suggested leaving them in the sun for a day or two – I know that works when I have left onions in one of my containers for too long!
Thanks for the comment AStarr. As a Tupperware consultant I would recommend you advise customers complaining of ‘plasticy or crayon’ smelling products to contact Tupperware directly to replace products with food-safe materials or return their money. Unfortunately, unlike the smell of an onion being left in a container, chemical off-gassing from old plastic cannot be ‘aired out’.
Suzanne
Mommy Footprint
do you have a source for a listing of plastic composition of older Tupperware? The one on their site is only for 2010 products. I have Modular Mates from the late 80′s as well as a few cereal containers from mid 70′s. all are in
perfect condition, indestructible, but am now wondering about their safety. Just wrote to Tupperware to ask same question.
Thanks!
Gail
Hi Gail – in my original post on Tupperware (written in 2008) this information was still available on their site. I’m glad I listed it in the article because it’s no longer available on their site. Here were the items listed containing BPA.
Products listed on the Tupperware site back in June 2008 confirming they contained BPA:
Heat ‘N Serve/Rock ‘N Serve: Container
Ice Prisms: Bowls, Pitcher & Tumbler Set
Kitchen Duos
Microsteamer: Base
Microwave Cooker – Oval: Cover
Microwave Luncheon Plate
Quick Chef Base
Sheerly Elegant Line
Tumbler Bouquet & Pitcher Set: Pitcher
My biggest problem with Tupperware is the fact they don’t acknowledge BPA as a dangerous chemical and they will not reimburse customers if they have a product that contains BPA and don’t want to continue to use the item. If you are worried about these products, make sure you are not heating or freezing in them – although new data suggests that BPA leaches at room temperatures. I guess your post proves that Tupperware really is a life-long product. If that a good thing – I’m not sure.
Suzanne
Mommy Footprint
Has anyone found a link or website with the pictures? I would like to purge my tupperware collection if it contains BPA. Thanks!
I agree. I have Tupperware that has only been used to store crackers, cereal, cookies and the “crayon” smell is horrible. I have had to throw out a lot of food items due to the bad taste the “smell” created. Sometimes the containers smell ok after washing but the smell comes back on its own after a few days. I will not buy anymore and am trying to get Tupperware to swithc the ones I have out for me. No such luck so far.
Tupperware is replacing mine with just a small shipping fee so I am very happy!
I, also, was a Tupperware consultant and Manager back in the 80′s-90′s. I have many of their products and have always enjoyed using them. However, my modular mates have started smelling like crayons too. It has caused me to throw out perfectly good food because of the odor and taste after storing in them. I am glad to find this blog and see that others are experiencing the same issues. Maybe if we put enough pressure on the corporate office, they will replace the items without hassle. I haven’t found a local consultant in my area nor seen one in years, but I have a box full of cracked pieces that need replaced as well due to years of not having a consultant and no one to take them to. Does anyone know where to go to get them replaced?