BPA-free

BPA-free describes plastic that is manufactured without bisphenol A, a compound that was widely used to make polycarbonate plastics rigid and clear. Concerns about BPA leaching into food, especially when heated, led most food storage brands to reformulate their plastics and label the result as BPA-free.

Being BPA-free does not automatically make a plastic microwave safe or dishwasher safe, since those are separate ratings tied to how the plastic holds up under heat and repeated washing. When buying plastic meal prep containers, look for both the BPA-free label and a specific microwave-safe rating if you plan to reheat food directly in the container, and check for staining or scratching resistance if you store tomato-based sauces or curries.

A common mistake is microwaving BPA-free plastic that is not rated for it, or continuing to use containers once they are visibly scratched, cloudy, or warped, since damaged plastic is more likely to leach compounds regardless of its original formulation. If you would rather avoid the question entirely, borosilicate glass or stainless steel containers sidestep plastic concerns altogether.