14 Inch Pizza Box
Skip or seek alternatives; grease-barrier coatings on pizza boxes commonly contain PFAS.
Pizza box grease barriers, including the brand, are a known PFAS exposure pathway because manufacturers traditionally use per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds for water and oil repellency. The brand provides no public disclosure of coating composition or PFAS content.
The better-graded swap
Who Gives A Crap
Krusty Krab Full Size Pizza Box Costume Prop
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Good.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Corrugated cardboard with grease-resistant coating (composition unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What 14 Inch Pizza Box is made of, ingredients and materials
14-inch pizza boxes are corrugated cardboard with a grease-resistant coating applied to the interior surface. The specific chemical composition of this coating is not disclosed by the brand or typically revealed on the packaging. Grease-barrier coatings on food-contact cardboard commonly rely on PFAS compounds (fluorinated polymers) to repel oils, though some manufacturers have begun transitioning to alternatives not known to contain PFAS. The concern is migration of coating chemicals into food during storage or heating.
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
Grease-barrier coatings on pizza boxes are a known PFAS source; Composition is undisclosed but composition unspecified coatings on food contact cardboard commonly contain PFAS-based fluorochemicals for water and oil repulsion.
Source, ATSDR ↗Ink and pigments (mineral-based or dye-based printing)
Logo and text use commercial printing inks. Food-contact surface printing is regulated, but migration of heavy metals (lead, cadmium) from inks into pizza is theoretically possible under prolonged contact or acidic conditions, though risk is low for acute use.
Adhesive off-gassing (cardboard assembly)
Corrugated cardboard is assembled with starch-based or synthetic adhesives. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from adhesives can be released, especially in warm or humid environments. Direct food contact risk is minimal; inhalation during unpacking is low exposure.
Microplastic or cardboard fiber shedding
Corrugated cardboard can shed small fibers or fragments onto food, particularly if the box is damaged or if grease degrades the coating integrity. Risk increases if box is reused or stored long-term.
Bacterial or mold growth on box surface (storage condition dependent)
Corrugated cardboard is hygroscopic and can harbor bacteria or mold if left damp or at room temperature for extended periods. This is an environmental rather than chemical hazard, but relevant to food safety if box is stored improperly.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The brand does not publicly disclose the chemical composition of their pizza box coatings or provide transparency about PFAS presence. The company has not published commitments to phase out PFAS in food packaging. No recalls or regulatory actions specific to pizza boxes for chemical contamination have been established in public records. Most major pizza chains maintain similar silence on this issue, reflecting an industry-wide gap in transparency.
How it compares in its category
Pizza boxes across the industry typically use similar grease-resistant coatings; Product is representative of the standard, not exceptional in either direction. Some smaller or specialty pizza makers have begun using alternatives not known to contain PFAS or uncoated options, though these are less common in mainstream fast-casual delivery. Uncoated cardboard or wax-lined boxes are available but reduce grease barrier performance. Box design and material choice reflect industry norm rather than leader or laggard status.
If you buy it
Limit direct contact between greasy foods and the box interior; use parchment or foil as a barrier when possible. Do not heat pizza in the box (standard practice, but worth reinforcing). Avoid storing leftovers in the box for extended periods; transfer to glass or ceramic within 2 hours. Discard the box after use rather than repurposing for food storage, as the coating may degrade with moisture and temperature cycling.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% 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 14 Inch Pizza Box?
8" Kraft Paper Open Pizza Box
- Kraft paper (uncoated)
- Chlorine residues from kraft pulp bleaching
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Cardboard/paper costume prop (non-functional)
- Ink residues and printing compounds
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More pizza boxes 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.