Fabri-Kal · Disposable Food Containers
Fabri-Kal SideKicks Microwaveable Side Dish Bowl / Container
Microwaveable PP container, grease-resistant coating raises PFAS concern.
Fabri-Kal SideKicks uses polypropylene with grease-resistant treatment common in food containers. The brand offers no PFAS disclosure, leaving coating composition unclear.
The better-graded swap
Eco-Products
Eco-Products Compostable Clear Clamshell Hinged Food
100/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polypropylene with grease-resistant coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Fabri-Kal SideKicks Bowl / Container is made of, ingredients and materials
Fabri-Kal SideKicks containers are polypropylene (PP), a thermoplastic rated microwave-safe by the FDA up to specified temperatures. The grease-resistant coating is the critical unknown, such coatings often contain fluorinated compounds to repel oils and water, and fluorinated coatings are a known PFAS delivery route in food contact articles. Polypropylene itself does not leach BPA or phthalates under normal use, but the coating's composition and durability under repeated heating are not publicly disclosed by the manufacturer.
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
Grease-resistant coatings on PP typically contain fluorinated compounds to achieve water and oil repellency. No public testing of Fabri-Kal SideKicks for PFAS migration has been disclosed; the hazard is inferred from coating chemistry, not confirmed in this specific product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and migration
Repeated microwave heating, dishwasher exposure, and acidic or fatty foods can degrade fluorinated coatings on food containers. As coatings wear, any fluorinated components present may migrate into food more readily, though Fabri-Kal has not published aging studies.
Microplastics
Degraded PP coating can flake or shed microparticles, especially if scratched during dishwashing or if the coating begins to separate. Visual inspection before each use can identify containers ready for replacement.
Source, EPA ↗What’s reassuring
BPA & bisphenols
Polypropylene itself contains neither BPA nor phthalates. Unless the grease-resistant coating formulation includes plasticizers (not typical for fluorinated coatings, but possible), this hazard class is not a concern for the base material.
Source, FDA ↗Heat-induced warping or leaching
PP is chemically stable up to manufacturer-stated microwave limits (typically under 212F). Leaching of polypropylene monomers or oligomers is not reported in published studies of PP food containers used within guidelines.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Fabri-Kal is a major US food-packaging supplier owned by Berry Global. The company has not published voluntary PFAS testing results, formulation transparency, or commitment to PFAS phase-out for consumer products, though it has faced scrutiny in the food service industry. No product-specific safety certifications (e.g., GRAS, BPA-free declarations, PFAS-free pledges) are advertised for the SideKicks line. This silence on a known hazard class linked to the coating type is a compliance gap, not a direct failure.
How it compares in its category
Microwave-safe PP containers without grease-resistant coatings (plain polypropylene) eliminate the fluorinated coating concern entirely. Glass or stainless steel microwaveable containers avoid all coating risks but are heavier and less leak-proof. Among coated PP products, Fabri-Kal's lack of PFAS disclosure is typical of the broader food-packaging industry; competing brands (Dart, Pactiv) use similar coating chemistry without public testing. The SideKicks line's competitive advantage is cost and convenience, not material safety differentiation.
If you buy it
Follow the manufacturer's microwave time and temperature limits strictly; overheating degrades coatings and increases migration risk. Avoid microwaving for extended periods, and do not reheat the same container repeatedly if it shows wear, cloudiness, or surface pitting. For frequent reheating, consider switching to uncoated PP or glass after 6-12 months of regular use. Hand wash in warm (not hot) water to extend coating life; dishwasher heat can accelerate coating breakdown.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% 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 SideKicks Microwaveable Side Dish Bowl / Container?
Eco-Products
Compostable Clear Clamshell Hinged Food
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- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Thermal degradation and chemical release at use temperatures
- Sugarcane bagasse (compostable fiber)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bleaching agents and residual processing chemicals
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- polypropylene (PP) container, uncoated
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Microplastics
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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.