Yumbox Original Leakproof Bento Box
One of the two default kids' bento boxes, and it is plastic - a molded plastic tray and plastic lid with a silicone-lined seal, so food dwells in plastic for hours in a warm bag despite the "leakproof" reputation.
The verdict: Significant plastic contact
The Yumbox Original is a molded plastic tray under a plastic lid, and the leakproofing comes from a silicone-lined seal around the lid's rim. Food sits directly in the plastic tray - often packed warm and left in a hot backpack for hours - which is exactly the dwell-time exposure the lunch-box category is about. Yumbox markets it as BPA- and phthalate-free rather than plastic-free, and it isn't: the entire food-contact surface is plastic. Included here as a corrective, since alongside Bentgo it's one of the two giant kids-bento sellers most parents reach for by default.
What it's made of
| Part | Material | Food contact |
|---|---|---|
| compartment tray (food wells) molded BPA-/phthalate-free plastic; food sits directly in the tray | Plastic other / unspecified | Yes primary |
| outer lid / shell plastic lid that presses down over the tray | Plastic other / unspecified | Yes incidental |
| lid seal silicone-lined seal around the lid rim that creates the leakproof closure | Silicone | Yes incidental |
| latch plastic easy-open latch | Plastic other / unspecified | No |
Yumbox's flagship kids' bento, and one of the two boxes (Bentgo is the other) that dominate the school-lunch market. A single latch closes one lid over many compartments, and the silicone-lined seal keeps wet foods like yogurt from crossing between wells, so it can be packed upright in a bag. A well-made, popular box for daily school lunches. Yumbox also sells a stainless "Pret" line that moves the tray to steel.
Pros
- Genuinely leakproof one-latch design that keeps wet foods separated
- BPA- and phthalate-free; durable enough for daily school use
Cons
- The food tray and lid are plastic - food sits in plastic for hours, often warm
Common questions
Does the Yumbox Original Leakproof Bento Box have plastic in it?
Yes. On the Yumbox Original Leakproof Bento Box, the compartment tray (food wells) and outer lid / shell are plastic and sit in the food path. There is plastic in the latch, which never touches your food.
What is the Yumbox Original Leakproof Bento Box made of?
Part by part, the Yumbox Original Leakproof Bento Box is: compartment tray (food wells) — plastic; outer lid / shell — plastic; lid seal — silicone; latch — plastic.
Does the Yumbox Original Leakproof Bento Box have silicone in it?
Yes — the lid seal is silicone on the Yumbox Original Leakproof Bento Box. It is a seal rather than a surface your food sits against.
Where is the Yumbox Original Leakproof Bento Box made?
The Yumbox Original Leakproof Bento Box is made in China.
Categories: Lunch Boxes
Sources
Every material claim above is backed by these. This is the scattered info we centralized.
- manufacturer https://yumboxlunch.com/products/yumbox-original-leakproof-bento-box-for-kids Original is a BPA-/phthalate-free molded plastic tray and lid with a silicone-lined seal for leakproofing
- review https://www.cubbyathome.com/review-yumbox-original-bento-lunchbox-80018019 independent review describing the plastic tray/lid construction and silicone-sealed leakproof lid
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