Fabri-Kal · Disposable Food Containers
Fabri-Kal Greenware 9" x 6" 1-Compartment Plant Fiber Blend Hinged Container 9509821
Plant fiber hinged container poses lower PFAS concern, no coating applied.
Fabri-Kal Greenware uses molded plant fiber, a material that doesn't need PFAS. Waterproofing and grease-resistant coatings typical of PFAS-risk foodware aren't applied here.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
plant fiber blend (molded fiber)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Fabri-Kal Greenware 9" Hinged Container is made of, ingredients and materials
This container is molded from plant fiber blend, typically a mix of sugarcane bagasse, wood pulp, or similar agricultural residues pressed and formed into shape. Plant fiber food packaging avoids the polymer chemistry (BPA, phthalates, polycarbonate) common in rigid plastic takeout containers. The hinged closure is usually the same fiber material or a paper-based composite, minimizing plastic contact points with food.
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.
Fiber degradation and microparticle shedding
Molded fiber breaks down when wet, heated, or flexed repeatedly. Fragments could shed into food, especially liquids or high-moisture items. This is a structural failure mode rather than chemical toxicity, but warrants inspection before use.
Mold or bacterial growth if stored damp
Plant fiber is porous and cellulose-based, creating an environment for mold or bacterial colonization if stored in humid conditions. This is a hygiene risk, not a chemical hazard, but storage matters for safety.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Residual processing chemicals in plant fiber
Plant fiber containers may retain bleaching agents, sizing chemicals, or adhesives used in forming, but no specific contamination has been documented in Fabri-Kal Greenware products. Published safety data for molded fiber food contact is sparse.
Ink or printing residues on exterior
The 9509821 model number suggests commercial branding or labeling; exterior inks or dyes are not documented as a concern for Fabri-Kal containers, and direct food contact is interior-only, minimizing risk.
Heavy metals
If molded fiber is made from recycled paper or agricultural waste, trace heavy metals (lead, cadmium) from printing inks or soil could theoretically accumulate. No recalls or testing data exist for Fabri-Kal Greenware; feedstock sourcing is not publicly disclosed.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Fabri-Kal is a long-established US food service packaging manufacturer with no major product safety recalls on record for their Greenware line. The company does not prominently publish chemical safety certifications or third-party testing for heavy metals or residual processing chemicals in their plant fiber products. They do not claim BPA-free or PFAS-free status in marketing, which reflects the typical silence of the molded fiber industry on these issues.
How it compares in its category
Molded fiber hinged containers sit between single-use plastic clamshells (higher BPA/phthalate risk) and compostable PLA plastic (similar leaching unknowns). They avoid the heat-triggered leaching risk of some plastic alternatives and have no fluorochemical surface treatment in published specs. Primary trade-off is structural integrity loss when saturated with liquids or high heat, not chemical safety.
If you buy it
Use for dry or room-temperature foods; avoid prolonged contact with hot liquids or oils, as fiber degradation may accelerate. Do not microwave or use in ovens above 350F. Inspect hinges for separation or fiber breakdown before each use, particularly if container has been wet or stored damp. Replace if material flakes or loses structural integrity. Compost after use if local systems accept plant fiber, otherwise recycle if local facility accepts molded fiber.
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
- Fabri-Kal has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Fabri-Kal Greenware 9" x 6" 1-Compartment Plant Fiber Blend Hinged Container 9509821?
Eco-Products
Compostable Clear Clamshell Hinged Food
- Compostable resin (PLA/PBAT blend, plant-based)
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Thermal degradation and chemical release at use temperatures
More disposable food containers 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.