Fabri-Kal · Disposable Food Containers
Fabri-Kal Polypropylene Clear Deli Containers - 32 oz.
Lower concern, polypropylene deli containers rarely contain PFAS.
Fabri-Kal polypropylene containers are common food packaging without known Teflon-family coating coatings. No public PFAS claims or certifications exist, though PP base resin carries lower inherent PFAS risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Polypropylene (PP), no added Teflon-family coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Microplastics
Polypropylene is thermally unstable above 70°C; if used with hot foods or exposed to dishwasher heat cycles repeatedly, the container may shed polymer fragments. This is not unique to Fabri-Kal but inherent to the material; practical risk is low with typical deli storage use.
Source: EPA ↗Monomer or oligomer leaching (propylene, residual catalysts)
Incomplete polymerization can leave trace monomers or transition-metal catalysts (titanium, zirconium) in the plastic matrix. Migration into acidic or fatty foods is theoretically possible but has not been documented as a safety concern at typical food-storage concentrations in commercial containers.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
BPA & bisphenols
Polypropylene does not require bisphenol compounds for manufacture or transparency. No documented presence in this product or material class.
Source: FDA ↗Phthalates
PP achieves its properties without plasticizer additives like phthalates, which are typical of PVC and some other soft plastics. No evidence of phthalate use in Fabri-Kal deli containers.
Source: ATSDR ↗Lead
Clear polypropylene deli containers do not require metal-based colorants. FDA regulation of food-contact plastic colorants is established; no recalls or incidents reported for this product.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Fabri-Kal's 32 oz containers are injection-molded polypropylene (PP, #5 plastic), a thermoplastic with a relatively high melting point (160°C / 320°F) and low reactivity with food at room temperature. Unlike PVC or polycarbonate, PP does not rely on plasticizers like phthalates or BPA to achieve clarity and flexibility, making it chemically simpler. The clear grade contains minimal colorants or additives, reducing the likelihood of heavy metal pigments or problematic flame retardants. PP's main weakness is thermal instability above 70°C; extended heat exposure can cause polymer chain breakdown and potential styrene-like monomer leaching, though this is not a documented issue for short-term deli use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Fabri-Kal is a long-established North American food-contact plastics manufacturer owned by Berry Corporation, with no major product recalls, safety controversies, or regulatory actions documented in public record. The company has not published detailed ingredient or PFAS-content disclosures on these deli containers, though industry-standard PP production for food contact does not typically incorporate fluorinated compounds. No third-party certifications (BPA-free claims, FDA explicit approval statements) are prominently advertised by Fabri-Kal for this product line, relying instead on assumed FDA Food Contact Substances compliance.
How it compares in its category
Polypropylene deli containers are among the safest single-use food storage plastics available; they carry no intrinsic BPA, phthalate, or intentional PFAS concerns at baseline. Glass or stainless steel deli containers eliminate plastic leaching risk entirely but are heavier and more expensive. PET (#1 plastic) alternatives offer similar safety but slightly worse thermal stability; PVC (#3) deli containers are less common and involve higher additive complexity. Fabri-Kal's commodity positioning and lack of specialized additives places it squarely in the lower-risk segment of the market.
If you buy it
Store cold or room-temperature foods only; do not use for hot items (above 70°C / 158°F), which can accelerate polymer degradation and leaching. Hand-wash or place in the lower rack of the dishwasher, as high-heat cycles may warp the container over time. Replace any visibly cloudy, cracked, or discolored containers, as these signs indicate loss of material integrity. Avoid prolonged storage of fatty or highly acidic foods (olive oil, citrus, vinegar), as PP is permeable to certain solvents; transfer to glass for long-term storage if concerned.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% 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.
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.