The Best and Safest Food Storage Containers and Materials

When it comes to clean eating, what you store your food in matters just as much as what’s on your plate. Old plastic containers, flimsy lids, and mystery materials don’t just make your fridge messy but can mess with your food, too.

At Caraway , we believe food should be stored with the same care it’s cooked with. That means containers made from safe materials, built to last, and designed to keep your meals as fresh as the moment you made them.

In this guide, we’re breaking down what makes a food storage container truly safe and what you’ll want to leave behind.

How Do Storage Containers Help Preserve Food?

Even the freshest ingredients can lose their quality without the right storage. It’s not just about keeping things organized, either. Proper containers can actually extend the life of your food.

Here’s how:

Create a Barrier Against the Environment

Once food is exposed to air, everything changes —moisture escapes, bacteria creep in, and textures go downhill fast. A quality storage container creates a protective layer that keeps oxygen, odors, and airborne contaminants out. That means your leftovers won’t end up tasting like the open carton of strawberries sitting next to them or last night’s stir-fry.

Maintain Optimal Humidity and Temperature

Fridges are great at keeping things cool, but not always at controlling humidity. The right container acts like a buffer, helping keep produce crisp, grains fluffy, and roasted veggies from turning soggy overnight. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference when you’re trying to keep those meal-prepped ingredients tasting fresh all week.

Prevent Cross-Contamination

No one wants raw chicken juices mingling with their prepped salad. When you’re cooking for a family or prepping meals for the week, keeping ingredients separate is a smart move . High-quality containers help create clear zones in your fridge, so raw proteins stay in their lane and everything else stays clean. It’s a simple way to reduce risk and keep things organized.

What Are the Risks of Using Poor-Quality Containers?

Wondering about the risks? Cutting corners with storage might seem harmless, but it can lead to some surprising issues.

Here’s what can happen if your containers aren’t up to par:

Increased Risk of Food Spoilage

When a container doesn’t close properly, your food’s shelf life takes a hit. That leftover stir fry or roasted chicken you planned to eat later in the week? It might not make it. Spoiled food isn’t just a waste of money but a waste of time, planning, and energy. For anyone meal prepping or trying to stretch a grocery haul, that adds up fast.

Exposure to Harmful Chemicals

A lot of older or cheaper plastic containers were made without much thought to what happens when they’re heated, scratched, or worn down. Over time, they can leach chemicals into your food, especially when used in the microwave or with acidic ingredients like tomatoes or citrus. If you’re putting in the effort to eat clean, the last thing you want is your container undoing that work.

Potential for Physical Damage

Cracked corners, warped lids, containers that don’t stack right—these things don’t just make your kitchen more frustrating. They can lead to spills in the fridge, leaks in your bag, or even more exposure to bacteria if you can’t fully clean around damaged edges.

And once a container is too stained, too scratched, or won’t stay closed, you’re left replacing it anyway. The short-term “savings” don’t go far.

What To Consider in a Food Storage Container

So, what should you look for when picking out food storage containers? It’s not just about tossing leftovers in a box and calling it a day.

If you want your food to stay fresh and your fridge to stay organized, consider these key features:

Material

The material you choose affects how your food is stored, how long it stays fresh, and how safe it is to reheat or reuse. For anyone prepping meals for the week or packing lunches for kids, it’s worth choosing something you feel good about using every day.

The right container won’t mess with your food, stain after one use, or make you wonder what’s leaching into tonight’s leftovers. When you're storing meals you worked hard to make, the container shouldn’t be a question mark.

Size and Shape

The right size and shape can make a big difference in how you store and organize your food. Shallow, wide containers are great for stacking and cooling leftovers quickly, while taller, narrower ones work well for soups, sauces, or fresh produce.

If you’re big on meal prep, consider sets that nest for easy storage and containers with dividers to keep foods separate without using multiple dishes. And don’t forget to think about fridge space—square and rectangular containers often stack better and take up less room than round ones.

Seal Quality

A container is only as good as its lid. If it doesn’t seal tightly, freshness is out the window—and so is half your soup if you try to take it on the go. A good seal keeps air, leaks, and odors in check.

Look for lids that close securely without a wrestling match and don’t wear out after a few rounds in the dishwasher. Bonus points if they’re easy to open with one hand, because let’s be honest, the other one is usually full.

Durability

There’s nothing more frustrating than a cracked lid, warped base, or chipped corner, especially when it happens after just a few uses. Durability matters when you’re using containers daily to store, reheat, or transport food.

Look for materials that can handle real kitchen life: temperature changes, a run through the dishwasher, or the occasional drop. A container that holds up saves you from constantly replacing cheap ones that don’t.

Ease of Cleaning

You shouldn’t need a toothbrush to clean out the corners of your container. The best ones rinse clean without much effort, don’t hang onto smells, and don’t require a deep scrub after every use.

Avoid complicated lids with too many parts or grooves where food and moisture can hide. If it’s not easy to keep clean, it’s not going to stay in rotation, and you’ll find yourself reaching for the same two containers every time.

Aesthetics

Looks aren’t everything, but they do matter. Containers that match your style and make your fridge or pantry feel organized are easier to stick with.

And if you’re using them to serve, pack meals, or prep in batches, you probably don’t want a stained plastic tub front and center. Clean lines, stackable designs, and a cohesive look can make meal prep feel a little less like a chore and a lot more like something you’ve got under control.

What Qualities Should You Look for in a Food Storage Container?

You know what to consider. Now, here’s how to spot the features that make a container worth keeping in rotation.

These are the details that take storage from functional to frustration-free:

Airtight Seals

We already talked about how important a good seal is, but how do you know if a container actually has one? Look for lids with locking mechanisms, silicone gaskets, or clear snap-closures that create real tension when closed.

If you can hear a soft click or feel resistance as it seals, that’s usually a good sign. And if you can flip it upside down without a single drop leaking? Even better.

BPA-Free Materials

When a container is labeled BPA-free, it means it doesn’t contain bisphenol A—a chemical commonly used in plastics that can leach into food , especially when heated. And while many brands claim “BPA-free,” it’s still worth checking the fine print.

For families, meal preppers, or anyone reheating leftovers regularly, choosing containers made without harsh chemicals helps reduce unnecessary exposure and aligns with a cleaner, more mindful kitchen overall.

Dishwasher Safe

No one wants to hand-wash four containers after dinner. If it’s going in your daily rotation, it needs to survive the dishwasher without warping, cracking, or fading.

Check that both the base and lid are labeled dishwasher safe (some brands only mean the base), and when in doubt, put it on the top rack. The easier something is to clean, the more likely you are to use it and keep using it.

What Are the Safest Materials for Food Storage Containers?

Not all materials are created equal. If you want containers that support your health goals and hold up over time, here are some of the safest and most reliable options to keep in your kitchen:

Glass

Glass is a classic for a reason. It doesn’t absorb stains, odors, or flavors, and you never have to worry about chemicals leaching into your food, no matter what you’re storing.

It’s safe to use in the fridge, freezer, oven, and microwave (just skip the lid in the oven), and it’s easy to clean without clouding or warping over time. The only downside is that it’s heavier and breakable, but for a lot of people, the peace of mind is worth it.

Ceramic

Ceramic containers are great for both storage and serving. They’re non-reactive , which means they won’t mess with the taste or integrity of your food, even acidic ingredients like tomato-based sauces or citrus.

High-quality ceramic is also naturally non-toxic and often beautiful enough to go straight from fridge to table. Just make sure it’s labeled food-safe and dishwasher-friendly, as some decorative ceramics aren’t designed for everyday use.

Silicone

Flexible, lightweight, and surprisingly durable, food-grade silicone is a smart option for snacks, produce, or anything you’re storing in tighter spaces. It’s naturally BPA-free and heat-resistant, which makes it a solid choice for freezing, microwaving, or even sous vide.

Just be sure you’re buying from a reputable brand. Look for FDA-approved or food-grade labels to ensure you're getting pure silicone, not a blend with fillers that can degrade over time.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is tough, chemical-free, and built to last. It’s perfect for people looking to avoid plastic altogether without dealing with the weight or fragility of glass.

It holds temperature well, doesn’t stain, and won’t absorb smells. Most stainless containers aren’t microwave-friendly, but they’re ideal for cold storage, meal prepping, or packed lunches, especially if you’re after something durable, safe, and easy to clean on the go.

Introducing Caraway’s Glass Airtight Storage Containers

Still not sure what storage to trust? Check out our trio that checks every box.

Caraway’s Glass Airtight Storage Containers were designed for real-life kitchens, where freshness matters, space is limited, and the last thing you need is another flimsy lid that won’t stay put. Made from high-resistance, non-toxic glass and topped with BPA-free lids, these containers are built to help you store with confidence.

Here’s why they stand out:

• True Airtight Seal: Engineered for a snug, precision fit, the lids lock in freshness while keeping air, moisture, and pests out, so your food lasts longer, and your prep doesn’t go to waste.

• Non-Toxic Materials: You won’t find BPA, BPS, PFAS, or any other forever chemicals here. Just clean, food-safe materials that align with the way you actually want to eat and live.

• Scratch, Stain & Odor Resistant: Made with high-resistance borosilicate glass, these containers hold up through daily use, resist staining from colorful ingredients, and won’t hang onto strong food smells.

• Stackable & Space-Saving: With a modular design that nests and stacks neatly, this trio helps you organize without the clutter. They look good in your fridge, pantry, or out on the counter.

• Easy To Clean: Every part disassembles easily, and the glass base is fully dishwasher-safe because no one has time to hand wash every container.

From pantry staples to packed lunches, leftovers to meal preps, these containers do it all, without the plastic, the toxins, or the mess.

The Bottom Line

Food storage might not seem like the most exciting part of your kitchen, but it plays a bigger role than most people think. The right containers help keep your food fresher, your fridge more organized, and your routine a whole lot easier. They support your goals, whether prepping clean meals, packing school lunches, or keeping that homemade soup from leaking all over the shelf.

At Caraway , we believe safe storage should be the standard, not a luxury. That’s why our Storage Solutions are built to be non-toxic, beautifully designed, and actually functional. Because what you store your food in should make your life simpler, not more stressful.

Sources:

How Food Spoils | UNL Food

Why avoiding cross-contamination is important | Food Standards Agency

Bisphenol A (BPA) | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Cooking with Silicones | Chemical Safety Facts