Non-Toxic Lunch Boxes & Bags That Go Beyond BPA-Free (for Kids & Adults!)

A lot of lunch boxes and bags are made with PVC or other plastics that can contain hormone-disrupting chemicals like BPA and phthalates.

Reducing exposure to these chemicals is always a good idea, but it’s even more important when it comes to food storage.

To help keep those substances out of your food, it’s worth being mindful about the materials your lunch gear is made from.

In this article, I’ll walk you through which materials to look for (and which to steer clear of), plus share my favorite non-toxic lunch boxes and bags for safer, healthier meals.

I’ve got options for both kids and adults!

This guide contains product recommendations and we may receive compensation if you purchase through certain links. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine!

Related Articles:

• Non-Toxic Backpacks
• Safe, Plastic-Free Food Storage Containers and alternatives to Ziploc baggies
• You Non-Toxic Back to School Guide
• Organic Clothing Brands for Babies, Kids, & Tweens

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My favorite non-toxic lunch boxes, bags, & Bento boxes (for the whole family)

First, I’ll give you the rundown on my favorite brands. If you want to know more about why the materials used by these brands are healthier and safer, scroll down.

I’ve also got more lunchtime gear (ice packs, utensils, etc.) for you below.

Fluf (organic cotton lunch bags)

Types: Lunch bags, sandwich & snack bags, backpacks
Best for: Adults, kids, & toddlers
Materials: Organic cotton + RPET lining
Plastic-free? No

Fluf is one my favorite brands for safe and fun lunch bags & other essentials, as well as backpacks. Some of their designs are minimalistic and elevated (which are great for adults), while other designs are fun and colorful (great for kids).

They also have sandwich bags and snack bags that come in a variety of sizes. Some have Velcro and some are zippered. And they’re all fully machine washable!

They use GOTS certified organic cotton and low-impact dyes for the outer fabric. For the lining, they use eco-friendly GRS-certified (Global Recycle Standard) rPET, which meets the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® for safety. This makes the lining more water-resistant without any toxic PFAS being added to it.

Their products are regularly tested by third party labs to be free of things like BPA, PVC, PFAS, phthalates, heavy metals, AZO, fire retardants, formaldehyde, and more.

In addition to their strict safety standards, Fluf also has other sustainable and ethical initiatives as well. Everything is ethically made in India where workers are paid a living wage and work under safe conditions.

Their team works to reduce plastic as much as possible throughout their entire supply chain, from the product design process to packaging.

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ECOlunchbox (stainless steel lunch boxes and non-toxic bento boxes)

Types: Lunch bags, Bento boxes, stainless lunch containers
Best for: Kids & adults
Materials: Organic cotton, stainless steel, silicone
Plastic-free options? Yes

ECOlunchbox is a great option because they have a little of everything: lunch bags, food storage containers, stainless steel bento boxes, and even camping plates and little sporks! Their entire line of products is almost completely plastic-free.

Their machine-washable lunch bags are made out for GOTS certified organic cotton and screen-printed with cute sea animals using eco-friendly ink. Some of their food storage containers & bento boxes are 100% food-grade stainless steel, while others include food-safe silicone lids and/or gaskets.

They offer storage containers that come in various shapes and sizes (circular vs. rectangular; snap-shut vs. regular lids; etc.), and many of their containers are leak-proof.

ECOlunchbox is also a B Corp certified brand that has various sustainable and ethical initiatives in place throughout their entire supply chain.

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Etsy (plastic-free lunch bags of various types)

Types: Lunch bags, wraps, and snack bags
Best for: Adults & kids
Materials: Organic cotton, linen, wool, natural wax
Plastic-free options? Yes

Etsy actually carries some great lunch options from various sellers. They have full-sized zippered lunch bags from brands like Simple Ecology (which is made with mostly GOTS certified organic cotton), minimalistic waxed canvas bags (to replace your standard brown paper sack), Bento bags that tie shut (and come in lots of pretty fabric choices), and more.

They also carry other lunch essentials like smaller organic cotton snack bags, beeswax wraps, and more. Materials and quality vary widely on Etsy, so just make sure you check the product description before buying, and don’t hesitate to message the seller to ask more questions if you need to.

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Fjallraven (insulated cooler lunch box)

Types: Zip-up lunch box/mini cooler
Best for: Adults & kids
Materials: Organic cotton, polyester, and polyamide
Plastic-free options? No

Fjallraven only has one lunch box option right now: their Kånken Mini Cooler.

It’s definitely a practical option: it’s insulated, waxed, and water-resistant (but without PFAS).

It’s not totally natural—it’s made of 35% organic cotton and the other 65% is a combo of polyester and polyamide.

But Fjallraven is known for being durable and long-lasting though. (How many companies do you know of that offer lifetime repairs?!) My husband and I have sevearl Fjallraven products and we’ve always been happy with them.

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Klean Kanteen (stainless steel & silicone boxes)

Types: Bento boxes and smaller food/snack boxes
Best for: Adults & kids
Materials: Stainless steel and silicone
Plastic-free options? Yes

Klean Kanteen (one of my favorite non-toxic water bottle brands) carries food storage containers too. They have a large box which can be sectioned off, a medium-sized one that’s the perfect size for a sandwich, a smaller one that can be used for snacks or sides, and a tiny one that’s perfect for sauces or whatever!

The lids are made from food-grade silicone, they’re leak-proof, plastic-free, and can be put into the dishwasher or freezer.

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BYOB

Types: Collapsable silicone boxes
Best for: Adults & kids
Materials: Silicone
Plastic-free options? Yes

I’ve personally been using my BYOB (which stands for Bring Your Own Box) to take my leftovers home from restaurants. This silicone box collapses, so it’s relatively easy to throw in a bag and take on the go.

They use LFGB-certified platinum silicone, which is THE safest kind of silicone you can get.

The lid stays attached to the box, which I appreciate because you don’t have to go digging through drawers looking for a matching lid! It’s ready easy to wash, whether you want to hand-wash it or throw it in the dishwasher.

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Austin Baby Collection (leak-proof silicone bento boxes)

Types: 5-section silicone Bento boxes
Best for: Toddlers, kids, teens, and adults
Materials: Food-grade silicone
Plastic-free options? Yes

Technically, these silicone Bento boxes are targeted towards parents of toddlers and young kids, but they can totally be used by adults, too! Some of them have cute, kid-friendly designs on the lid, but they also have more mature options and solid colors, too.

Not only are these lunch containers made out of 100% food-grade silicone, but each section comes with its own leak-proof, individually sealable compartments. So this is a great option for even more liquid-y things like yogurt or hummus.

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Pura

Types: 2-section lunch containers, insulated jars, snack saucer
Best for: Adults & kids
Materials: Stainless steel, silicone
Plastic-free options? Yes

Pura doesn’t have a ton of options for packing lunches, but they’re still worth checking out. They are actually MADE SAFE certified, which means they’ve been third-party verified for safety.

They’re also weld-free, which means you don’t have to worry about any hidden lead pieces that could become exposed.

Everything they make is totally plastic-free and the silicone they use is medical-grade. Plus, you can throw these in the dishwasher too.

Use code THEFILTERY for 10% off.

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Milkdot

Types: Insulated lunch bags and backpacks
Best for: Adults & kids
Materials: 600 denier polyester
Plastic-free options? No

Milkdot’s lead-safe lunch bags are made from polyester, but they’re free from PVC, phthalates, lead, and BPA (and tested by a third-party lab).

They come in various colors and patterns and can be a good fit for both grade-school kids and adults. (They even have a little picture frame ID tag for personalization or secret lunch notes, which is a cute extra feature.)

They do use foam insulation, which isn’t great… but at least that part is not touching your food.

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More Non-Toxic Lunch Gear

Here are some more products for non-toxic lunch gear:

1. Baggies & other storage necessities

What you choose to store your food in is important. Since endocrine disruptors can leach from the plastic to your food, choosing a non-toxic and plastic-free food storage option is an easy thing you can do that can potentially make a big difference.

We actually have an entire article that’s all about non-toxic food storage, which you can check out here.

To summarize my recommendations specifically for packed lunches:

• Made from silicone, Stasher Bags are perfect for reusable snack bags that can be thrown in backpacks, lunch totes, or purses. They have a wide variety of options so you can find something that’s just the right size for what you need. (Check out this article for more plastic-free Ziploc alternatives.)
• Although glass food containers are a great option, they’re very breakable and many schools don’t allow them in the cafeteria. I recommend stainless steel containers, like those from ECOlunchbox or UKonserve.
• Beeswax Wraps are a great alternative to plastic cling wrap and a a great lightweight way of wrapping up sandwiches, fruit, and more.

2. Ice packs

Marlee’s Monsters carries a plastic-free ice pack that’s made of stainless steel on the outside and distilled water on the inside.

3. Utensils

For forks and spoons, you’ll want to skip the plastic and go with:

• Bamboo (like To-Go Ware)
• Silicone (like ezpz, for kids)
• Or just use the regular stainless steel flatware from your kitchen!

4. Napkins

The best options for napkins are:

• Reusable organic cotton (like Marley’s Monsters or Hearth & Harrow)
• Reusable hemp or linen (like Rawganique or Heron Apparel)
• Unbleached paper towels

5. Water bottles

Here are some of the brands I recommend for plastic-free (or low-plastic) and lead-free options:

• The Filtery (shameless plug~we have our own stainless steel & lead-free water bottles in our merch store!)
• PURA (stainless steel/silicone – use code THEFILTERY for 10% off)
• Owalla (stainless steel)
• Hydro Flask (stainless steel)
• Life Factory (glass/silicone)

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What to choose? Lunch boxes, bento boxes, lunch bags—oh, my!

Before you pick out your lunch necessities, you’ll want to consider your (or your child’s) personal preferences…

Do you want a sturdy lunch box that can take a beating on your morning commute, or will a soft lunch bag suffice? Do you need something you can swing around your arm or throw in another bag? Would you prefer a Bento box that you can keep your whole meal in? What size would be best for you and your eating habits?

Choosing non-toxic materials is important, but you should also get something that will fit well into your lifestyle so that you’ll actually enjoy using it!

Materials to be careful of

Most of the lunch boxes, backpacks, and pencil cases you’ll find at the store are either made from a soft plastic, which often contains PVC and/or phthalates; or hard plastic, which can contain BPA or other bisphenols.

Here are why those materials are problematic:

PVC

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is actually one of the most toxic kinds of plastic. In fact, some countries have begun banning the use of PVC, especially in food packaging.

PVC contains chlorine, which creates toxic byproducts called dioxins. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dioxins “can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer.”

Not only that, but PVC often contains toxic additives like lead and phthalates.

Phthalates

Although phthalates are often found in PVC, they can also be in plenty of other types of plastic as well. They’re typically used to make the plastic more flexible. So when you’re shopping for lunch boxes, you’ll want to look for brands that explicitly test for all phthalates.

Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, which means they can interfere with one’s natural hormone function and lead to infertility and developmental toxicity. They’re also linked to things like diabetes and asthma, and also may be carcinogenic.

BPA & Other Bisphenols

While softer plastic lunch boxes are more likely to contain phthalates, harder plastic lunch boxes are more likely to contain BPA and other bisphenols. Like phthalates, bisphenols are also endocrine disruptors are linked to a list of health concerns.

Here is a deep dive into BPA and its “sister chemicals” like BPS and BPF. This explains why you’ll want to be careful of “BPA-free” claims on products, as “BPA-free” does not always mean “safe.”

Water/stain-resistant PFAS chemicals

It’s reasonable to want your lunch box to be resistant to water and stains since you might have to deal with spills and you definitely don’t want to end up with a moldy lunch bag.

But a lot of lunch boxes are treated with a PFAS-laden DWR (durable water repellant) finish to make them waterproof, which you do NOT want.

PFAS have been nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they can’t be easily broken down by our bodies or the environment. They are known toxins and are linked to a wide variety of serious health concerns, including cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, metabolic dysfunction, immune dysfunction, and more. You don’t want this stuff around your food if you can avoid it!

Most synthetic fabrics are inherently water-resistant and relatively easy to clean, and most natural fabrics like organic cotton or linen can be put into the washing machine. Therefore there’s really no reason for these toxicants to be added to our lunch bags. If you want to add a natural and non-toxic water-resistant finish to your lunch bag, you can use this wax bar from Rawganique.

Safer lunch box/bag materials to look for instead

Cotton or organic cotton

Lunch bags made from organic cotton or other natural materials such as hemp is a great choice (as long as they don’t have any PFAS added on top!). Not only are harmful pesticides not used in the growing or processing of these materials, but you also don’t have to worry about the hidden ingredients that often come with plastics, as mentioned above.

Since these materials are not stain-resistant and can’t be wiped clean as easily as plastic can, they may be more susceptible to getting dirty. But the good thing is that most of the time, they’re machine washable! (Just make sure to follow the directions because some of them aren’t meant to go in the dryer.)

Be careful about any lunch bags made from natural fabrics that say they’re stain- or water-resistant/proof. This indicates there may be a toxic layer of PFAS chemicals on top of the fabric.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is a safe food storage material that many people use for soups, sides, and snacks. It’s super durable and can keep your foods hot or cold (with the proper sealing).

Depending on your preferences, you may use a stainless steel storage container within your larger lunch box or bag, or you may use a Bento box (like this one, which can hold your entire lunch) all on its own.

Silicone

Silicone is a plastic-adjacent material that is much safer than typical, petroleum-based plastic.

A lot of people like to use silicone in place of plastic for things like container lids and baggies (like the now-famous Stasher bags!). They’re definitely a great option for kids because they are lightweight, flexible, and won’t break if they’re dropped. Depending on the specific product, they may or may not be able to hold liquids.

High-quality, food-safe silicone is generally safe at room temp and frozen.

Although it’s probably fine for warm foods, it may not be great at very high temperatures. Although we need more data, some research suggests that certain kinds of silicone may release endocrine disrupting chemicals at high temperatures (like in the oven). However, current research shows that anything under ~350 degrees Fahrenheit is generally safe.

Safer plastics

Sometimes (especially when it comes to kids), plastic is just easier. It’s easier to wipe clean and can be more leak-proof, waterproof, and mold-resistant compared to something like organic cotton. And you’re just not likely to find an entire lunch box/bag that’s made from all-silicone.

So if you’re going to go with plastic, some choices are much better than others. In general, plastic product with the resin codes #2, #4, and #5 are the safest.

Polyester, although not perfect, is generally better than something like PVC. Polyester can also be more resistant to things like water, stains, and mold compared to certain natural fibers like cotton.

Additionally, look for brands that use third-party testing to make sure their materials don’t contain phthalates, lead, bisphenols, or other toxicants.

Remember to keep all types of plastic away from the heat whenever possible, though. Heat speeds up the leaching process.

Food-grade everything

Regardless of which materials you choose for your lunch necessities, make sure that the material that’s actually next to your food is labeled as food-grade. Food grade materials have stricter manufacturing requirements and have to meet certain FDA requirements.

(BUT, just because something is food-safe does NOT automatically mean it’s free from things like phthalates and BPA, and there is very little actual oversight on this issue. A food-grade label is not an end-all, be-all; it’s just another helpful thing to look for.)

Brands that didn’t make the cut

Here are some more brands you may be wondering about that didn’t make the list at this time:

Calpak: I don’t recommend this brand. Among other types of plastic, it uses polyethylene, which may leach endocrine disruptors. Some of their bags also come with Prop 65 warning labels, which can mean they contain lead or a variety of other toxicants.

Corkcicle: While their stainless steel bottles and cups are probably fine, I don’t recommend their lunch boxes or other bags. It’s unclear what they’re actually made of and whether or not they’ve been tested for endocrine disruptors or other toxins.

Hydroflask: They say their lunch boxes and bags are BPA & phthalate-free, but it’s unclear what they’re actually made out of (and whether they contain any other bisphenols or endocrine disruptors). Their stainless steel bottles, cups, and jars are a good option, though!

L.L. Bean: Their lunch boxes are probably okay… They say they’re tested safe for lead, phthalates, PVC, and BPA. However, it’s unclear what kind of plastic they’re actually made out of and whether or not they’re free from all bisphenols and endocrine disruptors.

Modern Picnic: This is a brand that offers aesthetically-forward lunch bags for professionals. Unfortunately, they lack transparency, though. Their bags are made from vegan leather (which is most likely plastic, but they don’t tell us what kind) and they don’t say anything about bisphenols, phthalates, testing, etc.

State: They told us that their bags are not PFAS-free.

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By choosing from the non-toxic options listed above, you don’t have to pack your or your kids’ lunches with toxic chemicals like PVC, phthalates, BPA, or PFAS!

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