Fabri-Kal · Disposable Food Containers
Fabri-Kal Portion Cups
Low-medium risk. Standard rigid plastics without documented PFAS concerns.
These rigid plastic cups hold cold foods and drinks without PFAS-treated barriers. The PP and PS materials function as disposable containers without special chemical treatments.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) rigid plastics
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.
Microplastic migration (heat exposure)
PP and PS can degrade and shed microparticles if exposed to prolonged heat, UV, or mechanical stress. Fabri-Kal cups used only for cold or ambient food carry minimal risk, but filling with hot liquids or microwaving may accelerate breakdown.
Styrene monomer leaching (PS-specific)
PS cups may release trace styrene, a suspected carcinogen, especially under stress or with fatty/acidic foods. Fabri-Kal does not specify which products are pure PS vs. PP, so assume risk if product appears clear and rigid; prefer opaque PP alternatives if concerned.
Off-gassing or odor (new material smell)
New PP and PS containers may emit faint plastic odor due to residual monomers or processing aids. This typically dissipates within days to weeks and is not known to indicate toxicity, but indicates immature polymer cross-linking.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Additive leaching (colorants, UV stabilizers)
No specific reports of additive migration from Fabri-Kal portion cups. Standard food-contact additives in PP and PS are FDA-approved but individual sensitivity or long-term effects remain understudied for some formulations.
Contamination during manufacture or storage
No recalls or contamination incidents on record for Fabri-Kal cups. Standard manufacturing oversight and plastic resin testing apply, though transparency into batch testing is not publicly available.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Fabri-Kal Portion Cups are rigid thermoformed polypropylene (PP) or polystyrene (PS), both approved for cold and ambient food contact by the FDA. These materials are chosen for food packaging because they are inherently low-leaching compared to flexible plastics; PP in particular has high temperature stability and PS offers clarity and rigidity without requiring plasticizers. Neither material relies on BPA, BPS, or phthalates in their base formulation, which distinguishes them from some older food containers.
The brand's record and disclosure
Fabri-Kal is a US-based manufacturer with a long history in foodservice packaging but maintains minimal public disclosure on detailed material sourcing or chemical testing. No significant product recalls, contamination incidents, or regulatory violations are on record for Fabri-Kal portion cups. The company does not publicly tout PFAS-free status (though standard PP and PS are not intentionally formulated with PFAS), reflecting broader industry silence rather than a red flag.
How it compares in its category
Rigid PP and PS portion cups are industry standard for cold and room-temperature food storage and are generally considered safer than flexible plastic films or older polycarbonate containers. Alternatives include glass (heavier, breakable) and compostable plastics (less durable, sometimes higher cost). Fabri-Kal's products sit in the mainstream midrange: widely adopted by foodservice operators with no known quality or safety advantage over generic PP/PS cups from other manufacturers.
If you buy it
Use these cups for cold or room-temperature contents only; do not microwave or fill with hot liquids above 160F, as PP softens around 170F. Store in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight to slow any minor polymer aging. Replace cups if cracks, cloudiness, or persistent odor develop, as these signal degradation. Typical lifespan is 1-2 years for regular foodservice use; home storage extends utility indefinitely for dry goods.
What we don’t know
- 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.
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.