Disposable Food Containers, ranked by PFAS safety
29 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. 15 grade Good or better and are worth buying.
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The best non-toxic disposable food containers, ranked safest first
Bad · Better · Best disposable food containers
The quickest read, what to skip and the top-graded picks worth buying instead.
Fabri-Kal
Fabri-Kal Microwavable Deli Containers
Skip until brand clearly discloses coating composition and PFAS details.
Lakeland
Sustainables 3 Compartment Hinged Lid To Go Food Container
Lower concern, molded fiber food containers rarely contain PFAS.
Worth buying Good or Excellent, safest first
Lakeland
Sustainables 3 Compartment Hinged Lid To Go Food Container
Molded fiber/pulp (plant-based)
Degradation and food contact integrity
Limited concern
Mold or bacterial growth from moisture retention
Limited concern
Lower concern, molded fiber food containers rarely contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Rubbermaid
TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers 10 Piece Set
polypropylene plastic containers with lids
Microplastics
Limited concern
Leaching from lid components
Limited concern
Mold and bacterial growth in seals
Moderate concern
Lower concern, basic plastic food storage with no known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
Rubbermaid
TakeAlongs Meal Prep Containers
polypropylene (PP) container, polyester gasket
Microplastics
Limited concern
Polyester gasket degradation
Limited concern
Odor absorption and food flavor transfer
Moderate concern
Lower concern for PFAS, no Teflon-family coating coatings typical of this type.
⚠Risky category by default
Rubbermaid
TakeAlongs 3.2-Cup Round Food Container 4-Pack
Polypropylene plastic container with snap-lock lid
Microplastic shedding from degradation
Limited concern
Mold or bacterial growth in lid seals
Limited concern
Odor absorption and chemical transfer from external sources
Limited concern
Lower concern, basic plastic food storage without known PFAS coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Rubbermaid
TakeAlongs 6.2 Cup Medium Bowls (6-Piece Set)
Polypropylene (PP) plastic bowls with snap lids
Microplastic migration during heating
Limited concern
Odor and chemical absorption from food
Limited concern
Lid seal degradation over time
Limited concern
Lower concern, plain PP food storage containers rarely contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Rubbermaid
TakeAlongs Divided Food Storage Container
Polypropylene (PP) plastic container and lid
Additive leaching (PP stabilizers and colorants)
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Mold and bacterial growth (maintenance-related)
Limited concern
Lower concern, standard PP food container with no PFAS indicators.
⚠Risky category by default
Rubbermaid
TakeAlongs Special-Edition Americana Food Storage Container Set
Polypropylene (PP) plastic containers
Microplastic shedding when heated
Limited concern
Off-gassing or odor (non-chemical)
Limited concern
Lower concern, polypropylene food storage unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Rubbermaid
TakeAlongs
Polypropylene plastic containers with snap lids
Microplastic shedding when heated
Limited concern
Odor or taste transfer from degraded plastic
Limited concern
Mold or bacterial growth inside snap lids
Limited concern
Lower concern, standard plastic storage with no high-risk coatings found.
⚠Risky category by default
Hefty
Food Service Containers Rectangle 9 3/4" x 5" x 3 1/4" 125 ct
Polypropylene (disposable food containers)
Polymer degradation and oligomer leaching
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from wear
Limited concern
Migration of recycled plastic contaminants
Limited concern
Lower concern, but brand provides no PFAS disclosure either way.
⚠Risky category by default
Hefty
Food Storage Containers with Lids
Polypropylene (PP) plastic container with lids
Phthalates
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Oligomer and monomer leaching
Moderate concern
Lid seal failure and bacterial growth
Moderate concern
Lower concern, polypropylene containers unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Hefty
Clear Plastic Hinged Take-Out Containers
polypropylene (PP) plastic
Microplastic generation from heating or degradation
Limited concern
Bacterial contamination from hinge/seal design
Limited concern
Lower concern, no known PFAS risk from PP hinged containers.
⚠Risky category by default
Fabri-Kal
Recycleware Round Deli Container 4.6" Diameter x h
polypropylene (PP) plastic
Microplastics
Limited concern
Oligomer or additive leaching at elevated temperature
Limited concern
Degradation from repeated washing and mechanical stress
Limited concern
Lower concern, standard deli container with no known PFAS use.
⚠Risky category by default
Fabri-Kal
Greenware 9" x 6" 1-Compartment Plant Fiber Blend Hinged Container 9509821
plant fiber blend (molded fiber)
Fiber degradation and microparticle shedding
Limited concern
Mold or bacterial growth if stored damp
Limited concern
Plant fiber hinged container poses lower PFAS concern, no coating applied.
⚠Risky category by default
Fabri-Kal
Polypropylene Clear Deli Containers - 32 oz.
Polypropylene (PP), no added Teflon-family coating
Microplastics
Limited concern
Monomer or oligomer leaching (propylene, residual catalysts)
Limited concern
Lower concern, polypropylene deli containers rarely contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Fabri-Kal
Portion Cups
polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) rigid plastics
Microplastic migration (heat exposure)
Limited concern
Styrene monomer leaching (PS-specific)
Limited concern
Off-gassing or odor (new material smell)
Limited concern
Low-medium risk. Standard rigid plastics without documented PFAS concerns.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Lakeland
Avant Grub 100% Recyclable 8oz Brown Chinese Take Out Boxes 50pk. Leakproof Greaseproof To
paperboard with grease-resistant coating, unspecified
PFAS
High concern
Coating degradation and microparticles
Limited concern
Recycling contamination from coating
Moderate concern
Skip until coating details are disclosed by the manufacturer.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Lakeland
Stock Your Home Microwaveable Kraft Brown Take Out Food Containers
Kraft paperboard with grease-resistant coating
PFAS
Limited concern
Ink or dye migration from exterior printing
Limited concern
Lower concern, Kraft containers likely uncoated or minimally treated.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Lakeland
ProPlanet Microwaveable Hinged Containers
Polypropylene with grease-resistant coating
Fluorinated grease-resistant coating (undisclosed chemistry)
Limited concern
Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
Limited concern
Unlabeled or unclear temperature limits
Limited concern
Skip until grease-resistant coating composition is fully disclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Lakeland
Paper Mart Econo-Pak Takeout Box
Paperboard with unspecified waterproof coating
PFAS
High concern
Coating degradation and migration
Moderate concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Skip, standard takeout box coatings frequently contain PFAS without disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Lakeland
Stock Your Home 8-Inch Clamshell Takeout Containers
Polystyrene clamshell with greaseproof coating
Styrene monomer leaching
High concern
PFAS
Moderate concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Coating flaking or particle ingestion
Limited concern
Greaseproof takeout containers carry PFAS risk, skip if concerned.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Lakeland
12 oz Rectangle Aluminum Take Out Container with Polka Dot Paper Lid
Aluminum container with paper polka-dot lid
Paper lid coating composition (unverified)
Limited concern
Mold or bacterial growth in reused containers
Limited concern
Degradation and loss of barrier integrity
High concern
Lower concern but unconfirmed, paper lid may have water-resistant coating.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Hefty
Supreme Foam Hinged Lid Container
Polystyrene foam with unspecified surface coating
PFAS
High concern
Polystyrene degradation and additive leaching
Moderate concern
Microplastic fragmentation
High concern
Unspecified surface coating toxicity
Limited concern
Skip, foam food packaging frequently uses fluorinated coatings.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Hefty
Stock Your Home 6-inch Clamshell Take Out Food Containers
Polypropylene (PP) clamshell with grease-resistant coating
Microplastics
Limited concern
Grease-resistant coating stability
Limited concern
Heat-induced polymer breakdown
High concern
Mold and bacterial growth if reused
Limited concern
Likely lower PFAS concern, but grease-resistant coating remains unverified.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Hefty
Supreme Large Sandwich Foam Hinged Lid Containers
Expanded polystyrene foam with unspecified grease-resistant coating
Styrene monomer and oligomers leaching
Limited concern
Microplastic particulate shedding
High concern
Unspecified grease-resistant coating leachates
Moderate concern
Off-gassing of volatile organics (VOCs)
Limited concern
Skip, foam food packaging often contains PFAS for grease resistance.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Hefty
Hoagie Hinged Lid Containers
Polypropylene (PP) with grease-resistant coating
PFAS
High concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Heat-related leaching
Limited concern
Coating scratching and particle ingestion
Limited concern
Food containers likely have grease-resistant treatment, PFAS presence unclear.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Hefty
Clear Hinged Tray 8" x 8" 125 ct.
polystyrene (PS) with unclear grease-resistant coating
Styrene monomer leaching
Limited concern
Grease-resistant coating degradation and particle shedding
High concern
Styrene and additive migration into fatty/oily foods
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Grease-resistant food trays often contain PFAS, no disclosure suggests risk.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Hefty
Supreme Foam Hinged Lid 3-Compartment Containers
Expanded polystyrene foam with grease-resistant coating
PFAS
High concern
Styrene monomer leaching
Moderate concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Coating delamination and unknown additives
Limited concern
Skip, foam food containers typically contain fluorinated grease barriers.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Fabri-Kal
SideKicks Microwaveable Side Dish Bowl / Container
Polypropylene with grease-resistant coating
PFAS
Limited concern
Coating degradation and migration
Moderate concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Microwaveable PP container, grease-resistant coating raises PFAS concern.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Fabri-Kal
Microwavable Deli Containers
Polypropylene (PP) with grease-resistant coating
PFAS
Limited concern
Coating degradation and migration over time
Limited concern
Polypropylene leaching at elevated temperatures
Limited concern
Antimony trioxide residue (catalyst from PP polymerization)
Limited concern
Skip until brand clearly discloses coating composition and PFAS details.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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