PFAS25/ 100Poor
Overall0/ 100Bad
Restaurantware Take Out Container 200 Pack of 34 oz Bamboo Paper Click Lock Food Box Sustainable Container Leak-Resistant Kraft Small Food Packaging B

Bambu · Food Packaging

Restaurantware Take Out Container 200 Pack of 34 oz Bamboo Paper Click Lock Food Box Sustainable Container Leak-Resistant Kraft Small Food Packaging B

Poor

Moderate concern because grease-resistant coatings often contain PFAS.

Verdict: SkipBamboo fiber boxes avoid several plastic toxins but grease-resistant coating likely contains PFAS; moderate concern pending brand transparency on coating chemistry.

This takeout box pairs bamboo and kraft paper with an unspecified grease-resistant coating. The manufacturer hasn't disclosed PFAS content or coating details, leaving you unable to verify if it contains forever chemicals.

The safe swap

Plant Plates

Plate Mate

Plant Plates

85/100 safety

85Excellent

Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.

Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.

Material

Bamboo fiber/kraft paper with grease-resistant coating (unspecified)

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

Lab data

No public lab test

What’s concerning

♾️

Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment

Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.

65/ 100
♾️

No PFAS disclosure

The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.

85/ 100
♾️

Category baseline

food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.

75/ 100
♾️

PFAS

Unspecified 'grease-resistant' language on kraft foodware typically indicates legacy PFAS chemistry. No brand disclosure of non-PFAS alternatives; migration risk highest with fatty, warm, or acidic foods.

Source: ATSDR
20/ 100
🍂

Coating degradation and flaking into food

Repeated moisture cycles, stacking pressure, and heat can cause laminate separation or coating flaking. Bamboo fiber boxes are thinner than solid paperboard and more prone to structural failure over time.

70/ 100
⚠️

Bacterial or mold growth if not dried before storage

Porous bamboo fiber absorbs moisture; damp containers stacked in bulk can harbor microbial growth before use. Inspect for odor or discoloration before opening packaging.

70/ 100

What’s reassuring

Ink or dye contaminants in printed logos

No specific issues reported for Restaurantware branding, but food-contact inks should comply with FDA Title 21 CFR 176.170. Brand does not publish ink or adhesive safety data.

95/ 100
💨

Formaldehyde / VOCs

Bamboo fiber production may involve urea-formaldehyde adhesives or phenolic resins to bond fibers. Bambu does not disclose binder chemistry or compliance with CPSIA limits for food packaging.

Source: ATSDR
95/ 100

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

This product is kraft paper reinforced with bamboo fiber, a compostable base material. The critical unknown is the grease-resistant coating applied to the interior. Restaurantware does not publicly disclose whether this coating uses PFAS-based repellents (like Teflon-type coating or C6/C8 fluorocarbons) or non-PFAS alternatives (silicone, wax blends). Unspecified 'grease-resistant' language on food-contact products historically signals fluorinated compounds, which migrate into fatty or hot foods.

The brand's record and disclosure

Bambu markets sustainability and eco-friendly positioning but provides no public materials safety data sheet, PFAS policy, or third-party testing results for this line. The brand has not responded to industry transparency initiatives on PFAS "forever chemicals" in foodware coatings. No recalls or regulatory actions appear on record for Restaurantware containers, but absence of disclosure is itself a risk signal in this product category.

How it compares in its category

Bamboo fiber boxes occupy a middle ground: they avoid the BPA/phthalate and microplastic risks of plastic clamshells, but share the PFAS concern with many coated paper competitors. Uncoated kraft boxes eliminate PFAS risk but lose grease resistance. Certified compostable containers with independently verified non-PFAS coatings (rare but available) command higher prices; Restaurantware's pricing suggests a standard fluorinated coating is likely.

If you buy it

Store dry or low-moisture foods preferentially; PFAS migration increases with fatty, acidic, or hot contents. Avoid microwaving or direct heat. Do not reuse for hot liquids or greasy takeout repeatedly. Compost after single use if your facility accepts coated paper; landfill otherwise. Request or check the supplier's safety certificate for the interior coating before bulk orders; lack of response is a reason to reconsider.

What we don’t know

Basis
Model estimate, 62% confidence, not a lab result
Lab test
None on record for this exact product
Brand statement
Bambu has made none

Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.

Safer alternatives in Food Packaging

World Centric Compostable Fiber Compost-A-Pak Containers

World Centric

Compostable Fiber Compost-A-Pak Containers

Fiber-based (wood pulp/molded fiber), compostable coating

PFAS Grade100Excellent
Overall Grade74Good
🍳

Proprietary coating chemical migration

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Moisture and microbial growth in fiber matrix

Limited concern

70

Coating degradation under heat or fatty foods

Moderate concern

45
⚠️

Recycling contamination if misdisposed

Limited concern

70

Lower concern with documented PFAS-free commitments, though independent lab confirmation on this specific product absent.

Compostable (BPI/ASTM D6868 or equivalent)Certified compostable foodware (third-party verified)

Verified PFAS-free by a third party

Vegware Compostable Microflute Takeaway Box

Vegware

Compostable Microflute Takeaway Box

Plant-based fiber (sugarcane bagasse microflute); water-based coatings

PFAS Grade100Excellent
Overall Grade96Excellent

Coating degradation under heat and moisture

Limited concern

70

Lower concern; plant-based compostable packaging with stated PFAS-free positioning and limited independent verification.

OK Compost Home (EN 13432)OK Compost Industrial (EN 13432)Independently tested for PFAS-free status

Verified PFAS-free by a third party

Compostable Hinged Deli Containers

Loliware

Compostable Hinged Deli Containers

Polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic, plant-based coatings

PFAS Grade100Excellent
Overall Grade92Excellent
⛏️

PLA oligomer leaching

Limited concern

70
🫧

Microplastic generation on degradation

Limited concern

70

Lower PFAS concern; compostable bioplastic design avoids fluorine coatings.

BPI Certified CompostableMADE SAFE Certified

Verified PFAS-free by a third party

More food packaging grades

How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.