Dominos Chicken Burger Pizza Boxes
Grease-resistant coating chemistry not disclosed, raising concern about PFAS use.
This pizza box has a grease-resistant coating of unspecified chemistry. Domino's has no PFAS statement on record. water-repellent coating treatments in pizza boxes have historically used PFAS-based fluorochemicals.
The better-graded swap
8" Kraft Paper Open Pizza Box
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
cardboard with grease-resistant coating (composition unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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
If coating contains alternative chemistry (e.g., silicone, wax blends), long-term leaching under heat or prolonged oil contact is not well-studied. Risk is present but not quantified for Domino's product specifically.
Source, ATSDR ↗Thermal breakdown of coating during reheating
If pizza is reheated inside the cardboard box (e.g., in oven), coating may degrade or volatilize, releasing compounds into food or air. This misuse is avoidable with proper storage.
What’s reassuring
Cardboard degradation and particulate shedding
Cardboard itself does not shed harmful particles under normal food contact conditions. Degradation occurs only under prolonged moisture or extreme heat, neither typical for pizza box use.
Ink or printing chemical migration
Domino's boxes use food-contact-compliant inks and printing; no recalls or documented issues exist. Inks are exterior-facing and do not contact food directly.
Microbial growth or contamination from box material
Cardboard does not support pathogenic growth if stored dry. Risk is hygiene-based (handler practices, delivery conditions) not material-based.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Domino's pizza boxes are kraft cardboard lined with a grease-resistant coating to prevent oil penetration and structural failure during transport and storage. The coating composition is not disclosed publicly by Domino's, but industry-standard pizza box coatings historically rely on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or newer alternatives. Cardboard itself is inert and food-safe; the coating is where chemical hazard concentrates, particularly if the box is heated or its surface contacts food directly.
The brand's record and disclosure
Domino's has not published a formal stance on PFAS in packaging or committed to eliminating PFAS-containing coatings. The company does not disclose coating formulation for its boxes. No major recalls or regulatory actions specific to Domino's pizza boxes have been documented in public records. Transparency on food contact materials remains limited across the quick-service pizza category.
How it compares in its category
Most major pizza chains (Domino's, Pizza Hut, Papa John's) use similar cardboard-with-grease-coating designs and face identical PFAS uncertainty. Some smaller or eco-focused pizzerias have switched to coatings not linked to PFAS, but these remain minority practice. Cardboard pizza boxes show lower concern than some plastics or coatings-heavy serving ware, but the PFAS risk is category-wide, not Domino's-specific.
If you buy it
Use boxes in their intended purpose (food transport/short-term storage) rather than reheating food inside them or prolonging direct contact with hot grease. Do not use as bakeware or place directly in oven. Store in cool, dry conditions away from moisture, which can degrade coatings. If concerned about PFAS exposure, contact Domino's customer service to request coating details or ask about PFAS-free options; public pressure has driven change in other categories.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Domino's has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Pizza Boxes
8" Kraft Paper Open Pizza Box
Kraft paper (uncoated)
Chlorine residues from kraft pulp bleaching
Limited concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Grease saturation and structural failure
High concern
Microcontaminants from recycled fiber content
Limited concern
Lower risk; uncoated kraft pizza box poses minimal PFAS concern.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Who Gives A Crap
Krusty Krab Full Size Pizza Box Costume Prop
Cardboard/paper costume prop (non-functional)
Ink residues and printing compounds
Limited concern
Dust and particulate inhalation
Moderate concern
Mold and microbial growth (post-storage)
Limited concern
Adhesive residues (if glued seams present)
Limited concern
Lower risk; this is a decorative costume prop, not food contact or water-protective apparel.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
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.