PFAS25/ 100Poor
Overall0/ 100Bad
InnoPak Recycled Folded Takeout Container

· Food Packaging

InnoPak Recycled Folded Takeout Container

Poor

A water-repellent or grease-resistant treatment of unstated chemistry, and no PFAS statement from the brand.

Verdict · SkipRecycled fiber container with undisclosed grease-resistant coating; PFAS risk is significant, but product suits short-term food contact if kept below 180°F and sourced responsibly.

The brand has published no PFAS statement for this product that we could find. Its record describes a water-repellent or grease-resistant treatment of unstated chemistry, which is still counted.

The better-graded swap

Eco-Products 12 oz. World Art Compostable Food Containers 25-ct. pack

Eco-Products

Eco-Products 12 oz. World Art Compostable Food Containers 25-ct. pack

100/100 safety

100Excellent

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

Recycled fiber/paperboard, grease-resistant lining

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

Lab data

No public lab test

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100ExcellentPFAS grade
✓ MADE SAFE Certified✓ Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
  • organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
  • The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
  • Heavy metals

2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.

What InnoPak Recycled Folded Takeout Container is made of, ingredients and materials

InnoPak's folded takeout container is paperboard made from recycled fiber, which reduces virgin material demand but carries risk of contaminant concentration from prior uses. The critical unknown is the grease-resistant lining applied to the interior surface to prevent oil and moisture migration. The brand has not publicly disclosed whether this lining is PFAS-based (fluorochemical), silicone, wax, or another chemistry. Without that disclosure, you cannot rule out PFAS or other synthetic additives that migrate into fatty or hot foods.

What’s concerning

♾️

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.

85/ 100
♾️

Category baseline

The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.

75/ 100
♾️

Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment

Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.

65/ 100
🏷️

Grease-resistant coating chemistry (undisclosed)

The interior lining is unnamed; fluorochemical (PFAS) or other synthetic additives are common in this application. Migration risk is highest with fatty foods and elevated temperatures.

20/ 100
⚠️

Recycled fiber contaminants

Recycled paperboard can concentrate legacy contaminants (e.g., inks, adhesives, prior food residues) from the waste stream. Food-contact recycled fiber must meet FDA compliance, but post-consumer input increases variability.

70/ 100
⏳

Coating degradation and barrier failure

Grease-resistant coatings on fiber weaken over time, especially if exposed to moisture, heat, or mechanical stress. Peeling or worn coating allows direct fiber contact with food and increases leaching of binder resins.

70/ 100
🏷️

Compostability claims (not a direct health hazard, but relevant to end-of-life safety)

The container is marketed as compostable, but synthetic coatings (especially PFAS or some silicones) do not readily biodegrade and can persist in compost. Verify that your facility accepts foodservice packaging before disposal.

70/ 100

What’s reassuring

✅

Allergen cross-contamination (product concern, not ingredient)

No specific allergen labeling or contamination issues are documented for EarthBox containers; however, use separate containers for allergen-sensitive foods if packaging has been in a shared warehouse.

95/ 100

How is this PFAS grade calculated?

The brand's record and disclosure

The brand markets the EarthBox line as sustainable and compostable, but has remained silent on the chemical composition of grease barriers despite industry movement toward PFAS transparency. No independent lab certifications (e.g., third-party PFAS testing, FDA migration studies, or compostability verification by BPI) are referenced in publicly available sources. This silence, combined with the known prevalence of fluorochemical coatings in foodservice packaging, suggests either cost-driven opacity or reliance on legacy treatments.

How it compares in its category

Recycled-fiber takeout containers are standard in the category; their environmental the brand is lower than virgin plastic or uncoated paper. However, most competitors (including some from larger manufacturers) also do not disclose lining chemistry. Containers explicitly labeled PFAS-free or using named alternatives such as silicone or wax coatings are rarer and often command a premium. The brand's silence puts this product in the middle of an industry-wide transparency gap.

If you buy it

Do not microwave or heat food in the container above 180°F (82°C), as heat accelerates migration of any coating into fatty foods (oils, cheese, meat). Use only for room-temperature or briefly warmed takeout (under 10 minutes). Replace the container if the interior coating shows visible wear, peeling, or dark spots, which signal barrier breakdown. Store in a cool, dry location to avoid moisture stress on the paperboard that could compromise the seal and coating integrity.

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
has made none

Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.

What are the PFAS-free alternatives to InnoPak Recycled Folded Takeout Container?

Matter Compostable Food Storage Container 5ct

Matter

Compostable Food Storage Container 5ct

100ExcellentPFAS grade
✓ BPI Certified Compostable
  • Plant-based fiber pulp (compostable)
  • A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
  • Microbe/mold growth if stored damp

2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.

Eco Products WorldView Compostable Take-Out Containers EP-SCRC32

Eco-Products

Eco Products WorldView Compostable Take-Out Containers EP-SCRC32

100ExcellentPFAS grade
✓ BPI Certified Compostable
  • Plant-based fiber (compostable sugarcane bagasse)
  • A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
  • Bleaching agents and processing residues

3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.

Eco-Products WorldView Sugarcane Take-Out Containers

Eco-Products

WorldView Sugarcane Take-Out Containers

100ExcellentPFAS grade
✓ BPI Certified Compostable
  • Sugarcane bagasse (post-consumer fiber)
  • A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
  • Cellulose fiber degradation and food contact

2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.

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.