Plastic Colander 5-Quart

Name: Plastic Colander 5-Quart
Brand: Cuisinart

PFR Grade

Poor — significant plastic content, use with caution

Polypropylene plastic colander. Hot pasta water poured through a plastic colander can leach chemicals from the plastic. Cuisinart is one of the most popular kitchen brands.

PFR Caution

5-quart polypropylene plastic colander. Cuisinart is one of the most popular kitchen brands.

Score Breakdown

How scores are calculated

Materials (40%): How plastic-free the product is — raw materials, construction, and coatings.

Packaging (20%): Is the product packaged in plastic? Is it recyclable?

Transparency (20%): Does the brand disclose ingredients, sourcing, and manufacturing?

Durability (20%): How long does it last? Longer-lasting products reduce plastic waste over time.

Materials

Packaging

Transparency

Durability

$15See Safer Alternatives in Kitchen

This is a rating of this specific product only — not the company. Other products from this brand may score differently.

Last updated: April 6, 2026

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High Exposure Risk — Why This Product Category Matters

The kitchen is the room with the highest concentration of plastic-chemical exposure. Heat dramatically accelerates chemical leaching — a plastic container microwaved once can release millions of microplastic particles into food.

Synthetic Plastic Content

100%

synthetic plastic by weight

Why We Rated It This Way

Pouring hot pasta water through a plastic colander leaches chemicals from the plastic into the food. Stainless steel colanders are the safe, durable alternative.

Chemical & Health Analysis

Each chemical of concern is broken down below — what it is, where it comes from in this product, what it does to the body, and who is most at risk.

Contains:Polypropylene

microplastics

Source

Hot water contact with plastic colander

Health Risk

Chemical leaching into hot food

Who Is Most At RiskAdults using plastic colanders with hot foods

Peer-Reviewed Sources

All health claims are based on published, peer-reviewed research from the NIH, WHO, IARC, and peer-reviewed journals. This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.