Avant Grub Biodegradable 6x6 Take Out Food Containers with Clamshell Hinged Lid Mi
Lower concern. Plant-based packaging typically avoids PFAS, but no verification given.
Avant Grub uses bagasse, a plant-based material with inherently lower PFAS risk compared to plastic-coated containers. Brand provides no PFAS disclosure or third-party certification, leaving some uncertainty about processing or coatings applied.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Bagasse (sugarcane fiber), compostable/biodegradable formulation
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Avant Grub Biodegradable 6x6 Hinged Lid Mi is made of, ingredients and materials
Avant Grub containers are made from bagasse, the fibrous residue left after sugar extraction from sugarcane. This material is fundamentally different from petroleum-based plastics or polystyrene foam, meaning it does not contain BPA, BPS, phthalates, or the polymer chains that typically leach into food when heated. Bagasse is primarily cellulose and lignin, which are stable plant polymers that do not degrade into endocrine disruptors or microplastics under normal food-contact conditions. The compostable formulation suggests minimal synthetic binders, though industrial processing may introduce trace processing aids.
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.
Microplastic/fiber shedding from material breakdown
Bagasse is not a plastic, but aggressive heating, moisture, or prolonged storage can cause cellulose fibers to fragment and potentially enter food. This is less severe than synthetic microplastics but represents a physical contamination risk if containers degrade prematurely.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Bagasse processing typically involves whitening agents and small amounts of synthetic binders or sealants to achieve food-contact coating. No published analysis of Avant Grub containers' specific processing chemicals is available; residue risk is lower than virgin plastics but unverified for this brand.
Source, ATSDR ↗Moisture absorption and microbial growth if stored improperly
Bagasse is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture readily), creating risk for mold, bacterial biofilm, or decomposition if stored in humid conditions before use. This does not constitute a leaching hazard but a food-safety and product-integrity issue.
Thermal degradation and leaching at high temperatures
Some bagasse containers degrade or warp above 185°F, potentially releasing uncharacterized organic compounds into hot foods. Testing on Earthwise-branded containers specifically is not publicly available; this risk is documented for the material class generally.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
BPA & bisphenols
Bagasse formulations do not contain BPA, BPS, or phthalate plasticizers by material chemistry. No history of contamination in this product line.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Earthwise (the parent brand/distributor) does not publicly disclose detailed material sourcing, processing chemical inventories, or third-party testing results for these containers. No established recalls, contamination incidents, or safety violations are on record for this specific product line. The company markets the containers as compostable and biodegradable, which is accurate for bagasse, but provides no certification documentation (such as BPI compostability certification) readily available to consumers. This silence on verification is typical of smaller eco-packaging suppliers and does not indicate a safety problem, only incomplete transparency.
How it compares in its category
Bagasse clamshells show lower concern than polystyrene foam (which can leach styrene) and comparable or lower concern than recycled PET containers (which may retain processing residues). They avoid the microplastic shedding risk of some compostable plastic blends (PLA/PBAT) if properly manufactured, since bagasse is not a synthetic polymer. However, they are less heat-stable than rigid polypropylene or high-temperature ceramics, making them unsuitable for very hot foods. Most bagasse products lack independent certification, so they sit in a middle ground, lower chemical risk, but less regulatory oversight than mainstream food-service plastics.
If you buy it
Do not use for liquids above 185°F (85°C) or microwave at high power, as bagasse can weaken and potentially shed fiber fragments into food; test with lukewarm liquids first. Store dry before use to prevent premature decomposition or mold growth in humid conditions. These containers are best suited for room-temperature or warm (not piping-hot) takeout meals. Replace if you notice softening, discoloration, or odor; compostable materials degrade faster than plastics, especially if exposed to moisture or sunlight during storage.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Avant Grub has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Avant Grub Biodegradable 6x6 Take Out Food Containers with Clamshell Hinged Lid Mi?
- 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.