Experts share when to throw away plastic food containers

There is often a price difference between brand-name food storage containers, such as those from Rubermaid and Tupperware, and containers made from generic brands (such as supermarket brands and department store brands). But is it worth paying some extra money for a set of containers from a more established manufacturer?

Trevor Craigscientist and food safety expert in Micropac Laboratories“Branded companies specialize in making containers that best serve their use and business model, being thicker, sturdier and better designed,” he said. These companies have built their reputation on reliable containers, and your extra money will partly pay for that guarantee.

Budget-conscious shoppers in 2025 should know that “although there have been some historical differences in quality and materials between brand-name food storage containers and generic containers, this gap has become increasingly smaller due to the sale of Tupperware and Rubbermaid to capital,” Lu explained. management groups or have merged with larger conglomerates so go ahead and pick up some unbranded containers (as long as you double-check the digital codes at the bottom).

As for how long you can keep a plastic food storage container, Craig said there is “no strict time frame,” but you should base your assessments on its condition. “As a container ages and is exposed to the dangers of being a container, it will begin to crack, crack, warp and, less worryingly, may develop odor and discoloration,” he said. “Once it gets to that point, then the container should be recycled and replaced.”

Do not use plastic containers that are more than 10 years old.