BioPak Takeout Boxes, Set of 10 Medium
Wait until BioPak clarifies coating makeup; PFAS risk on food-contact paperboard remains unclear.
Molded fiber takeout boxes are marketed as eco-friendly, but BioPak doesn't publicly disclose water-resistant coating contents. Many compostable food containers use PFOA and PFAS repellents.
The better-graded swap
Karat
Karat Earth Eco-Friendly PLA Round Deli Container
100/100 safety
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
Molded fiber/paperboard with unspecified water-resistant coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What BioPak Takeout Boxes, Set of 10 Medium is made of, ingredients and materials
BioPak Takeout Boxes are molded fiber (recycled paper pulp) with an unspecified water-resistant coating. Molded fiber itself is inert, but the coating's identity is critical, many food-contact paperboard coatings historically relied on PFAS-based formulations for grease resistance. Without BioPak's disclosure of whether they use PFAS-free coatings, you cannot verify if the food-contact surface sheds harmful fluorinated compounds into fatty or acidic foods.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Molded fiber takeout boxes commonly use PFAS-based grease-resistant coatings. BioPak has not disclosed whether this product uses PFAS-free alternatives; coating migration to food is most likely with hot, fatty, or acidic contents.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastics
If the water-resistant coating degrades (scratching, peeling, heat exposure), particles may transfer to food. Without specification of coating binder type, risk cannot be ruled out for long-term or repeated-use scenarios.
Source, EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Ink or dye transfer (exterior printing)
No specific recalls or reports link BioPak box inks to hazards. Food-contact regulations in Australia and EU restrict heavy metals and azo dyes; exterior printing should not migrate inward if handled normally.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Molded fiber manufacturing may involve formaldehyde-based binders, but finished products typically off-gas minimally. No public data on BioPak boxes specifically; standard molded-fiber boxes comply with FDA indirect additive limits.
Source, ATSDR ↗Bacterial growth or mold from moisture retention
Molded fiber can retain moisture if stored in humid conditions; however, this is a use/storage issue, not a product defect. Standard food-safety handling (dry storage, timely use) mitigates risk.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
BioPak, an Australian food-packaging company, positions itself as sustainability-focused but has not publicly released detailed material disclosures or PFAS statements on its takeout box coatings. This silence on a material-safety issue that competitors increasingly address is a transparency red flag. No major recalls or hazard reports specific to BioPak boxes are on record, but lack of negative data does not confirm safety when formulations are undisclosed.
How it compares in its category
Molded fiber boxes are a middle ground, some plastic clamshells may pose higher concern for BPA or phthalate leaching, but this product's risk depends entirely on coating chemistry. Competitors like Footprint and some retailers now explicitly state their coatings are not materials linked to PFAS or are compostable; BioPak's silence puts it behind the transparency curve. For short-term, room-temperature food (cold pasta, sandwiches, baked goods), molded fiber is low-risk; for hot, oily, or acidic contents, uncoated or verified-PFAS-free options are preferable.
If you buy it
Reserve these boxes for cold or room-temperature foods; avoid prolonged contact with hot items, fatty sauces, or acidic foods (citrus, vinegar) that can increase coating migration. Do not microwave. Replace boxes after 1, 2 uses or if the interior shows visible wear or discoloration. Contact BioPak directly to request a safety data sheet or PFAS-status confirmation before using for sensitive foods (children's meals, frequent consumption).
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to BioPak Takeout Boxes, Set of 10 Medium?
- Plant-based fiber pulp (compostable)
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Microbe/mold growth if stored damp
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Eco-Products
Eco Products WorldView Compostable Take-Out Containers EP-SCRC32
- Plant-based fiber (compostable sugarcane bagasse)
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Bleaching agents and processing residues
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Eco-Products
WorldView Sugarcane Take-Out Containers
- Sugarcane bagasse (post-consumer fiber)
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Cellulose fiber degradation and food contact
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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.