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Non Toxic Travel Mugs And Water Bottles – Which Travel Mugs and Water Bottles Are Non Toxic?
My husband and I drink coffee every day and carry coffee or water with us in the travel mugs to work. We originally had Klean Canteen Stainless Steel Coffee Mugs. They were great travel mugs but we found they are not 100% leak proof. Therefore, we wanted to get travel mugs that are more spill and leak proof. We also wanted mugs that are insulated and made from a stainless steel material. While looking for insulated stainless steel mugs, we saw some stainless travel mugs had coatings inside. Some travel mugs had a California Proposition 65 Warning about cancer and reproductive harm. I wanted to research further why stainless steel travel mugs would have a California Proposition 65 warning label. Could insulated stainless steel travel mugs or bottles be harmful? In this post, I share with you how insulated stainless steel travel mugs and water bottles can be toxic and what non toxic travel mugs and water bottles are available.
How Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Mugs And Water Bottle Can Be Toxic
Lead Solder Spot In The Bottom of The Bottle
Natural Baby Mama together with Tamara Rubin, the founder of the Lead Safe America Foundation found lead in the bottom of some insulated stainless steel water bottles after with a XRF testing. Some insulated water bottles contained high amount of lead in the dot on the bottom which is a lead solder point. A non toxic water bottle company, Pura Kiki’s water bottle, for example, had a lead level of 397,000ppm. (Their new insulated water bottle is lead safe now.) According the World Health Organization, there is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe. Even blood lead concentrations as low as 5 µg/dL (0.05 ppm), once thought to be a “safe level”, may be associated with decreased intelligence in children, behavioural difficulties, and learning problems. Therefore, I would avoid an insulated stainless steel water bottle or travel mug with exposed lead solder spot in the bottom of the bottle.
Interior Non Stick Coating
When I was researching some Zojirushi stainless steel travel mugs, I noticed that some models have an interior non stick coating. According to Zojirushi, their non stick coating is made of PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene, a polymer that is applied in a two-step process with a primer and a topcoat. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene. The best-known brand name of PTFE-based formulas is Teflon by Chemours. Nonstick coated interior makes cleaning easy, however, teflon can be toxic to our health. A synthetic chemical called Perfluooroctanoic acid (PFOA) was used to make Teflon in the past. PFOA can cause testicular cancer, liver disease and thyroid disorders. It is a carcinogen, a development toxicant, an immune system toxicant, a liver toxicant and endocrine disruptor. We can be exposed to this toxic chemical being released when non stick coating is overheated above 500°F (260°C) or when non stick layer is worn off or damaged. Although many non stick coatings don’t use PFOA any more since 2015, replacement chemicals for PFOA such as GenX and PFBS are supposedly also as toxic. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed that GenX is associated with harmful effects on the kidney, blood, immune system, liver and development. EPA also concluded that PFBS is associated with harmful effects on the thyroid and kidney, reproduction and development. Some non stick coatings may still contain PFOA. Although, hot coffee drinks do not reach above 500°F (260°C), the non stick coating can wear off or get damaged and we can be exposed to the harmful chemicals. Therefore, I would just avoid travel mugs with non stick PTFE interior coating. Zojirushi also has a travel mug (Zojirushi Slicksteel Stainless Steel Mug) that has no coating inside. I would choose the model with non coating inside if I were to choose.
California Proposition 65
My husband and I purchased Zojirushi Stainless Mugs after recommendation from a friend and we were quite excited to use them. The Zojirushi Stainless Steel Travel Mug is one of the most recommended travel mugs by users with many positive feedbacks. Many mentioned that it is 100% spill and leak proof. However, when the order arrived, my husband immediately noticed a warning label on the travel mug saying ‘Warning: Cancer and Reproductive Harm – www.P65warnings.ca.gov’. We wondered why a stainless steel travel mug would have such a warning label. Therefore, I wanted to research further why a stainless steel travel mug would have California Proposition 65 warning label.
What is California Proposition 65? California Proposition 65 is a California state law that requires businesses with 10 or more people to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that are known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. A warning must be given for toxic chemicals unless the exposure is low enough to pose no significant risk of cancer. This law only applies when the products are sold to Californians. However, due to California’s market share, many companies become California proposition 65 compliant or display warnings on their products. However, there is some controversy with a California Proposition 65 warning label. Some believe just because a product has a California Proposition 65 warning, it doesn’t mean the product is unsafe. The warning doesn’t list the reason why there is a warning. According to the California government, a California Proposition warning informs consumers they are exposed to carcinogens or reproductive toxins that exceed certain threshold levels. However, this is not the same as a regulatory decision that a product is “safe” or “unsafe.” They suggest the business issuing the warning should be contacted for specific information, such as what chemicals are present, and at what levels, as well as how exposure to them may occur. Consumers can find out actual levels of exposure from the manufacturers and decide whether to use or avoid the product.
Amazon had this question from a customer and an answer from Zojirushi customer service regarding Zojirushi Stainless Mugs having California Proposition 65 warning label.
Q: Why does this product have a prop 65 warning?
A: Thank you for your inquiry. The stainless steel in the interior of the vacuum mug and spring in the lid contains nickel. Nickel is an important alloying element in food-grade stainless steel. It provides high anti-corrosive properties to the stainless steel (surgical steel contains nickel). The sticker on the bottom of the outside of the vacuum mug contains DBP. (Dibutyl phthalate). Please note that the bottom of the vacuum mug does not come in to direct contact with food or beverage. For further information, please go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
If you are allergic to nickel, this warning may be concerning. Also, DBP is Dibutyl phthalate. Dibutyl phthalate may damage the developing fetus and damage the testes (male reproductive glands). It may also affect the nervous system and kidneys. We can be exposed to DBP by breathing in DBP present in air and dust, absorbing DBP through the skin from DBP containing products and transferring DBP from hands to mouth and swallowing. Therefore, I would probably get rid of the sticker located in the bottom of the mug and wash that area clean before using.
Non Toxic Travel Mugs – Some Stainless Steel Travel Mugs have California Proposition 65 Warning.
Ceramic Coated Interior
A travel mug such as Contigo Vaccum-Insulated Stainless Steel TwistSeal Glaze Travel Mug and Kyocera Stainless Steel Travel Mug have a ceramic coated interior. According to Kyocera, the ceramic coating supposedly eliminates metallic taste, never rusts and will not stain. I have not found any study that a ceramic interior coating in a travel mug can be toxic. However, I personally do not feel comfortable about ceramic coated interior. In cookware, ceramic coating used as a non stick coating is called Thermalon (like you see on Green Pan). Thermalon gives teflon-like performance without harmful chemicals such as PFOA and PTFE used for teflon. However, there are concerns with Thermalon since it contains nanoparticles. One study found quasi-ceramic non-stick coating released titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Although nanoparticles were released during cooking, its mechanical degradation studies showed that the surface wear due to scratches and other types of damage occurring during normal use may lead to significant release of titanium-containing particles. Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring earth element and it is generally not harmful. It is actually used in a lot of products. However, studies have found nano sized titanium dioxide can be very harmful to human health. Nanoparticles are so small that it can travel through the blood and the organs. Nano sized titanium dioxide can produces oxidative stress, resulting in cell damage, redness, and immune response. It can also cause a toxic effect on cells in the brain. It is classified as ‘possible carcinogenic to humans’ by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. We can be exposed to titanium nano particles through ingestion, inhalation or dermal penetration. When ceramic coating is scratched, chipped or damaged, it can release nanoparticles into the food or drink. Interior coatings or linings can also eventually disintegrate over time.
I have inquired both Contigo and Kyocera if their ceramic interior lining is Thermolon. Kyocera said their ceramic coating uses Kyocera proprietary ceramic coating and it is not Thermolon. They said that their coating is non stick coating but it does not contain nano titanium dioxide. However, if Kyocera’s ceramic coating is proprietary, we won’t know exactly what the coating is made of. I have not yet gotten a response from Contigo. Personally, I just feel safe choosing uncoated stainless steel travel mugs. Then you don’ t have to wonder if interior coating contains harmful chemicals. You won’t also have to worry if harmful chemicals can be released when interior coating wears off or gets damaged. A ceramic coated interior may be safe but I would rather choose an uncoated stainless steel interior.
Non Toxic Travel Mugs And Water Bottles
Insulated tumbler, travel coffee mugs, water bottles, all of them can be a travel mug. They are all able to keep liquid hot or cold up to certain hours. Each type has a different types of caps since coffee or tea is sipped in smaller amount than water or cold drinks are drank due to the temperature of the liquid. You may personally want to drink coffee or tea from a tumbler or a travel coffee mug instead of a water bottle. However, you can use both hot or cold drinks in all of these travel mugs or water bottles. I find that water bottles are mostly leak proof whereas some travel coffee mugs are not leak proof. Therefore, find out what you would be using the travel mug for and if 100% leak proof is important to you. For me, finding a travel mug that is 100% leak proof was one of the top reasons why I wanted to get a new travel mug. I also noticed that most of the travel mugs come with a plastic cap. If you don’t like the idea plastic touching your drinking liquid, you can get a Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel Water Bottle and purchase a Stainless Steel Loop Cap or a Stainless Steel Bamboo Cap separately.
Contigo AUTOSEAL West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug
- Interior: 18/8 stainless steel interior
- Wall: Thermolock Vacuum Insulation
- Cap: bpa-free plastic lid
- Keep your beverages hot or cold for: Keep hot up to 5 hours and cold up to 12 hrs
- Leak Proof: Yes
- California Proposition 65 Warning: None
Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel Water Bottle
- Interior: 18/8 stainless steel interior, electropolished which is a safe and non-toxic process which helps with cleaning and won’t retain or impart flavors.
- Wall: Double Wall Vacuum Insulation
- Cap: Plastic but they also sell 18/8 stainless steel, 100% leak proof Steel Loop Cap or Stainless Steel Bamboo Cap separately.
- Exterior: KLEAN COAT powder coat is specialty formulated to be safe for people and planet while being 4X more durable. All color Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottles from 2018 feature this coating which is chip and scratch resistant.
- Keep your beverages hot or cold for: keeps hot for 30 hours and iced for 100 hours
- Leak Proof: Yes
- California Proposition 65 Warning: None
Klean Kanteen also has a Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Coffee Mug but it is not leak proof.
Hydro Flask W32TS435 Wide Mouth Water Bottle
- Interior: 18/8 stainless steel interior
- Wall: Double Wall Vacuum Insulation
- Cap: BPA-free Plastic
- Exterior: Powder-coated matte finish exterior that never sweats
- Keep your beverages hot or cold for: cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 6 hours
- Leak Proof: Yes
- California Proposition 65 Warning: None
Hydro Flask also has a Hydro Flask Coffee travel mug but it is not leak proof.
Iron Flask Sports Water Bottle And Travel Mug
- Interior: 18/8 stainless steel interior
- Wall: Double Wall Vacuum Insulation
- Cap: Iron Flask comes with THREE different lids. Straw Lid with 2 Straws, Flip Lid (22 oz, 32 oz, and 40 oz ONLY), and a Stainless Steel Lid. *NOTE: The stainless steel lid is plastic from inside and stainless steel from outside*
- Keep your beverages hot or cold for: cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12 hours
- Leak Proof: Yes
- California Proposition 65 Warning: None
Mira Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Wide Mouth Water Bottle | Thermos
- Interior: 18/8 stainless steel interior
- Wall: Double Wall Vacuum Insulation
- Cap: BPA-free and phthalate-free plastic, Mira sells a flip lid for hot drinks such as coffee
- Exterior: Powder coat finish for extra durability and slip free grip
- Keep your beverages hot or cold for: cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12 hours
- Leak Proof: Yes
- California Proposition 65 Warning: None
Thermos Stainless Steel Travel Tumbler
- Interior: Stainless steel interior
- Wall: Vacuum Insulation
- Cap: BPA-free plastic, built in tea-hook
- Keep your beverages hot or cold for: cold for up to 9 hours and hot for up to 5 hours
- Leak Proof: Yes
- California Proposition 65 Warning: None
Thermos also sells another travel tumbler which is really popular.
Final Thoughts
For a non toxic stainless steel travel mug or water bottle, select a travel mug or water bottle that is not lined with any non stick coating. Also, check out if the travel mug or water bottle have a exposed lead solder point in the bottom of the bottle. In addition, see if there is any California Proposition 65 Warning label for possible carcinogens and reproductive toxicants. We originally purchased Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug. Although this mug is 100% leak proof and had a lot of great reviews, we didn’t like California Proposition 65 Warning label on the product. You can probably take off the sticker in the bottom where it contains DBP (Dibutyl phthalate) and clean the area before using. However, we just wanted to choose travel mugs without any warning label. After researching non toxic travel mugs and water bottles, my husband purchased a Contigo Autoseal West Loop Travel Mug. For me, since I carry water more than coffee, I got a Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel Water Bottle. I am also planning to get a Steel Loop Cap or Stainless Steel Bamboo Cap for Klean Kanteen Classic water bottle separately so that I can avoid plastic completely. So far the water bottle and travel mug have been great. They are not only non toxic but also they don’t leak at all. My husband and I are very happy about our choice.
Non Toxic Water bottle and Travel Mugs – My husband and I chose a Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel Water Bottle and a Contigo Autoseal West Loop Travel Mug.
If you are interested in non toxic mugs, please read my post, ‘Non Toxic Mugs – Which Mugs Are Lead Free?‘
Read my post ‘Non Toxic Dinnerware – Which Dinnerware Is Lead-Free?‘ to see how dinnerware can be toxic and what non toxic dinnerwear is available.
If you are interested in non toxic cookware, please read my previous post, ‘Non Toxic Cookware Guide – What Is The Healthiest And Safest Cookware?‘
If you want to find out which bottled water brands are safe, please read my post ‘Safe Bottled Water Guide: Which Bottled Water Brands Are Safe?‘
f you are interested in pressure cooker, Instant Pot, please read my post, ‘Non Toxic Pressure Cooker – Is Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Non Toxic?‘
If you are interested in non toxic rice cookers, please read my post ‘Non Toxic Rice Cookers – Rice Cookers With A Stainless Steel Inner Pot‘.
We used both size pura Kiki baby bottles for our son. You mentioned their water bottle had lead. Do you know if the bottles do? I bought them because they claimed made safe certified and now I’m worried because we’ve been using the small one as a sippy
Hi Myriah,
Does Pura Kiki baby bottles have exposed lead solder point (dot) in the bottom of the bottle? We would’t know if the particular Pura Kiki baby bottle have lead unless we do the XRF testing. XRF testing is not easily accessible to many people in everyday life. Therefore, I would just avoid any bottles that have exposed lead solder spot.
Was about to get a Zojirushi mug myself as a birthday present for the husband, when I remembered the Prop65 warnings I’ve been seeing in California (recently relocated to the States from The Philippines). I just wanna say a HUGE HUGE thank you for saving me time researching on the matter and looking for alternatives. Will be ordering a Contigo Autoseal West Loop Travel Mug, as you have suggested.
Thank you! 🙂
Do you not worry about the paint scratching off and the lead being exposed? Why not go with a product that has absolutely no lead like Hydro flask? Just curious. These bottles get dropped all the time.
Hi Carlin,
Do you mean Hydro Flask is the only travel mug that has no lead among the travel mugs listed above?
Hi Isabelle,
Thanks so much for your article. I love your website. I’m also passionate about non-toxic cooking and cleaning. What are your thoughts on this water bottle? YOKOZUNA Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug Stainless Steel Water Bottle Leak Proof Thermal Cup Metal Handle for Sports (25oz / 750ml)
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RNCRB17/ref=crt_ewc_img_huc_1?ie=UTF8&smid=AT886RQM158TH&th=1 I almost purchased the Klean Kanteen one with the bamboo lid but I noticed they had a warning that the steel lid was not safe for hot beverages, and I would sometimes like to put coffee in mine.
Thanks,
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
Sorry I couldn’t find the water bottle you are talking about at Amazon. Are they still being sold at Amazon?
Thanks for this info. I own a Zojirush and remember reading when I first got it that the sticker on the bottom of the Zojirushi is there to cover its lead solder spot. You might want to look into that before removing.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi! I use a Kleen Kanteen coffee mug/thermos and I like it. What is your opinion of how concerned I should be about the plastic lid. It doesn’t look like they sell a different lid for the coffee cup. Thanks
Hi Maria,
Yes, Kleen Kanteen coffee mug is great. However, the plastic lid is a concern for me as well since plastic and heat are not a good combination. Plastic material especially with exposure to high heat may leach chemicals. It doesn’t look like Kleen Kanteen carries a different lid for the coffee mug. However, they do carry a stainless steel lid for a water bottle. Their insulated water bottle keeps liquid hot for 20 hours. Therefore, if you don’t mind using a water bottle for coffee and purchase a stainless steel lid separately, that may be one way to avoid a plastic lid. Hope this helps!
I use a Hydroflask and love it. It does have a plastic interior cap, but I just use it for cold water so have not worried too much about that. Just to understand, you describe the interior of the non-toxic mugs/water bottles as: stainless steel (with no nikel) , 100% stainless steel, stainless steel, and 18/8 – is it all the same or is there a difference, and if so which one is best in your opinion? Thank you!
Hi Aileen,
Actually, that was a mistake. This post was written while ago and I am not sure why I put it like that. I apologize for the confusion.
Contigo travel mug is also made of 18/8 stainless steel. 18/8 is a food grade stainless steel which contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel.
If I put 100% stainless steel, that meant that it doesn’t have any non stick coating or anything but only stainless steel interior.
Food grade stainless steel is 18/8 or 18/10 which contains chromium and nickel which are the best kind of stainless steel for food.
Wonderful information. I have a nickel allergy and had a flare when I began drinking from a stainless steel tumbler. I’ve been searching for a glass tumbler with an acrylic lid (due to my sensitive teeth) with no luck. Any idea what would be best to drink my daily water on the go?
Hi Angela,
I would choose a stainless steel or a glass material for water. However, if you are allergic to nickel, stainless steel is probably not a good material for you. I looked at numerous glass tumblers. Some glass bottles had a stainless steel lid but then again, that wouldn’t be suitable for you when you are looking for a water bottle without a stainless steel material. I don’t know if you may be interested in something like these below.
Ello Syndicate Glass Water Bottle with One-Touch Flip Lid
Ello Aura Glass Water bottle
Lifefactory Glass Active Flip Cap/Silicone Sleeve Water Bottle
Life Factory Water Bottles with different lid options
Hope this helps!
Have you researched Healthy Human water bottles, they are one of the only brands that has stainless in the lid, so no plastic ever touches your drink.
Hi Erika,
It looks like Healthy Human Water Bottle has a stainless steel part inside of the lid so liquid doesn’t touch plastic . Thanks for letting me know. I will probably include a Healthy Human water bottle in my post.
Healthy Human also carries a Stainless Steel Tumbler with a stainless steel straw although its lid is not stainless steel. I like the stainless steel straw.
I found your post very interesting, I also spend a lot of time researching and reading about health .
I went on walmart.com and to my surprise I found that the Klean Kanteen water bottle does have WARNING – California Proposition 65.
I would appreciate a follow up comment.
Thanks .
Hi Sharon,
Amazon also had a California Proposition 65 warning on Klean Kanteen water bottle last year and I made an inquiry with Klean Kanteen at the time.
They have told me the following.
“Our products are all tested for compliance with proposition 65 and its labeling requirements. All products are verified by our 3rd party Laboratory to have no detection of any of the chemicals listed under California Proposition 65. Our products should not have a Prop 65 warning on them at all since it is not required.”
They also told me that “Amazon should not be placing this warning on our products. Thank you for providing us with this information. I will be passing this along to Quality Control department to have this removed.”
I don’t see the warning at Amazon any more after that. I am thinking it may be the same case at the Walmart. Hope this helps!