Footprint (EarthBox line) · Food Packaging
ECO-Takeout Single Entree Food Container EC-08 (Jade)
Lower concern; third-party certification supports the brand's PFAS-free claim.
Footprint's EC-08 molded fiber container is explicitly marketed as PFAS-free and holds MADE SAFE certification. The standard formulation contains no Teflon-type coating or Teflon-family coating coatings.
Brand says: “Footprint's EarthBox line is formulated to be PFAS-free and has been third-party tested.”
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Molded fiber (post-consumer waste) with water-based coating
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Microbial growth or mold if reused or stored wet
Molded fiber is porous and can retain moisture; if the container is washed and reused (against single-use design), mold or bacterial biofilm risk increases. Intended for single use and disposal, so this is a misuse hazard rather than a manufacturing defect.
What’s reassuring
Third-party PFAS-free verification
A third party independently verified this product is PFAS-free.
Coating leachables (unspecified water-based polymer)
Water-based coatings are generally lower-risk than Teflon-type coating or wax, but Footprint does not publicly disclose the specific polymer type, additives, or migration testing data. No reported migration incidents or contamination are documented for this product.
Ink or print contaminants
Food-contact printing inks on molded fiber containers can contain heavy metals or non-food-grade colorants if not regulated. No specific testing or complaints are publicly available for Footprint EC-08 printing; industry standard assumes FDA-compliant inks for reputable manufacturers.
BPA & bisphenols
Water-based coatings typically avoid BPA/BPS; no evidence of these contaminants in Footprint's disclosed material or public safety records. The explicit PFAS-free certification implies avoidance of broader chemical families.
Source: FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Some molded fiber uses formaldehyde-based resins in the pulp-binding process. Footprint does not publicly declare formaldehyde absence, but volatile release from food-contact fiber is minimal and no air-quality complaints are documented. Food-contact leaching is not a primary concern for single-use containers.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The EC-08 is molded fiber (pressed paper pulp) made from post-consumer waste, coated with a water-based polymer rather than wax or fluorinated compounds. Molded fiber is inherently free of the rigid plastic concerns (BPA, phthalates) that plague polystyrene or polyethylene terephthalate containers. The water-based coating reduces leaching risk compared to traditional polyethylene- or Teflon-type coating-lined food service ware, though the specific polymer chemistry of that coating is not publicly detailed by the brand.
The brand's record and disclosure
Footprint explicitly markets the EarthBox line as PFAS-free and claims third-party certification (specific certifier not confirmed in public sources, but the claim aligns with growing industry standards). The company has positioned itself as a sustainable alternative to conventional foam and plastic clamshells and has published sustainability commitments. No major recalls, contamination incidents, or formal safety complaints are documented in public records for this product line.
How it compares in its category
Molded fiber is considered lower-risk than polystyrene foam (potential styrene leaching) or uncoated plastic clamshells (BPA/BPS). It is broadly equivalent in food-contact safety to unbleached kraft paper containers, though the water-based coating adds a step that requires vendor transparency. The trade-off is durability: molded fiber softens with hot or very oily foods faster than plastic, so it is best suited for ready-to-eat items rather than prolonged heat exposure.
If you buy it
Use for ambient or cool foods; avoid filling with liquids above 60 degrees Celsius or prolonged contact with hot oil or fatty foods, which can degrade the fiber and coating. Do not microwave. Replace immediately if the coating is visibly compromised (softening, delamination, or saturation). Compost according to local guidelines; most molded fiber is industrially compostable within 90 days.
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
- Footprint (EarthBox line) has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Food Packaging
World Centric
Compostable Fiber Compost-A-Pak Containers
Fiber-based (wood pulp/molded fiber), compostable coating
Proprietary coating chemical migration
Limited concern
Moisture and microbial growth in fiber matrix
Limited concern
Coating degradation under heat or fatty foods
Moderate concern
Recycling contamination if misdisposed
Limited concern
Lower concern with documented PFAS-free commitments, though independent lab confirmation on this specific product absent.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Vegware
Compostable Microflute Takeaway Box
Plant-based fiber (sugarcane bagasse microflute); water-based coatings
Coating degradation under heat and moisture
Limited concern
Lower concern; plant-based compostable packaging with stated PFAS-free positioning and limited independent verification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Loliware
Compostable Hinged Deli Containers
Polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic, plant-based coatings
PLA oligomer leaching
Limited concern
Microplastic generation on degradation
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; compostable bioplastic design avoids fluorine coatings.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
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.