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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March 16th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
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.
March 19th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
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
September 11th, 2009 at 10:58 am
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.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:36 am
I am worried about using the Tupperware UltraPlus. I don’t know what type of plastic it is made of.
October 5th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
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
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:46 am
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.
November 26th, 2009 at 1:08 am
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.
February 14th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
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.
July 7th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
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.
July 13th, 2010 at 11:50 pm
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
July 13th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
I realized my contact info did not show up on the post:
JulieStAmand@my.tupperware.ca