To see more Tupperware items I have tested, click here.
When using an XRF instrument to test this funnel (which is made of solid orange plastic with no painted markings or decorations) it had the following readings:
- Lead (Pb): 1,714 +/- 29 ppm
- Cadmium (Cd): 17 +/- 6 ppm
- Arsenic (As): 181 +/- 20 ppm
- Chromium (Cr): 618 +/- 43 ppm
- Antimony (Sb): 153 +/-17 ppm
- Bromine (Br): 238 +/- 6 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 1,136 +/- 22 ppm
- Nickel (Ni): 20 +/- 6 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 2,307 +/- 52 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 312 +/- 133 ppm
All test results reported on this blog are replicable and accurate. The test result set above was for a test of this item for a full 60 seconds (one minute) in “Consumer Goods” mode. If a metal is not listed above, it was not detected by the XRF instrument in this mode.
A word of caution, given it is nearly impossible to tell the exact year of manufacture of a Tupperware product (because they are not marked in any way that would indicate the year of manufacture), the fact that this orange funnel is positive for Lead, Cadmium, Mercury and Arsenic does not mean that other orange Tupperware items will also be positive. More testing and research is necessary to make that determination, although most examples of the vintage orange Tupperware products that I have tested have been positive for at least one toxicant.
If you have any information that could help date this particular item, that would be very much appreciated. Thank you for supporting this work in this way. Based on the color and the presence of toxicants (and the research I have done to date) I would assume this dates from the 1970s.
If you appreciate this work and would like to see more test results like this, please consider contributing to the GoFundMe for my advocacy work: http://www.GoFundMe.com/LeadSafeMama. I do “take requests” as I live near quite a few antique stores and could easily go purchase something that you might want tested if the cost of the item were covered and a contribution that also helped with the cost of testing was made. Please e-mail me if you are interested in having me purchase something specific to test: TamaraRubin@mac.com
As always, thank you for reading and for sharing my posts.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
Click here to see the overview post showing all of the items I have tested so far.
How about the orange cannisters. I received mine in 1981 as a wedding gift.
Hi Marilyn,
Thank you for commenting. I haven’t tested those yet – but I am going to make a guess that they are likely positive for some assortment of toxicants. Here’s the overview post I just created, click back here periodically over the next few days and I will add more test results as I finish writing the posts: https://tamararubin.com/2019/03/is-my-tupperware-toxic-here-are-pictures-of-everything-i-have-tested-so-far-with-links-to-the-xrf-test-results/
Tamara
Do you have a reccomendation for a safe kitchen funnel. I am thinking stainless steel…..but then are they coated? I would love a brand idea of a typically safe brand if you haven’t tested specifically a funnel. Thank you for all you do. I thought I had gotten rid of all tupperware, but then saw your post and remembered I still have this one.
Do you have any idea if the Tupperware company is replacing this stuff. I have this funnel and the measuring cups and a probably a few other things made in this time period
I have large containers used for storage & transporting food. A few have cream lids, can you tell me if these are contaminated
Hi Fee,
It seems to be wholly dependent on the color and year made, although I cannot tell the exact year made of many of the pieces. So far the clear and white pieces have been negative for Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic and Mercury but I do understand that those pieces made before 2010 did have BPA, which is also quite concerning. I have not yet found Lead or other heavy metal toxicants in the dark brown or dark blue pieces I have tested so far.
Thank you for commenting.
Tamara
I have this funnel, mine is dark blue. I got it in 2001
Hi Tracy, thank you for commenting. I have not tested enough blue pieces to draw a conclusion either way. In general I am advising that folks stay away from pre-2010 Tupperware and in that way you will avoid any possibly lead contaminated pieces AND any pieces that might also have BPA.
Tamara
I have the yellow measuring cups and several other pieces from 1972. I have a white 2 quart measuring cup/pitcher with a lid (for storing pancake mix etc.) A green colander, a clear cake carrier, clear pie saver and several other pieces I can’t think of right now but this may give you a time frame. Oh, I have a green lettuce keeper and a green celery keeper, clear cereal storage containers,
If I remember correctly from my Tupperware Lady days in the early to mid ’70’s the letter on the bottom of many of the pieces corresponds to the letter on the lid for that piece(s).
Also, many of my vintage pieces I have relegated to storing art and craft supplies instead of food; repurposed. Is that a safe way to use them?
I have the Tupperware Orange juicer. Possible from the 90’s. Have you been able to test any of those?