Look for PP 5, not FDA approval

The shortcut to a food-grade lunch box is the little “5” in a triangle or 304 stainless steel — not the FDA approval that most people think they’re looking for.

Here’s the thing people get wrong: the FDA does not approve or certify lunch boxes. There’s no stamp, no official logo. Under US rules, the manufacturer just has to ensure their materials comply with FDA food-contact regulations (21 CFR). So “FDA approved” is marketing fluff. “FDA compliant” is the honest version of the same claim.

LFGB is a genuinely tougher bar. It’s the German Food and Feed Code, and it tests chemical migration plus sensory factors — like whether the material changes the smell or taste of food. An LFGB test done by a third-party lab (SGS or TÜV) is a stronger signal than any FDA claim. But there is no official LFGB logo either. Any brand can print “LFGB certified” on a box, so if it matters, ask for the actual test report.

The material matters more than the label. Polypropylene (PP