Matter Compostable Food Storage Container 5ct
Lower-concern choice, compostable fiber avoids traditional PFAS-coated paperboard.
Matter compostable containers use plant-based fiber without synthetic Teflon-family coating coatings, supporting their PFAS-free positioning. Compostable certification provides third-party material verification.
Brand says: “Footprint explicitly markets containers as PFAS-free and compostable, positioning against traditional food packaging coatings.”
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Plant-based fiber pulp (compostable)
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Bacterial/fungal growth in cellulose matrix
Plant-based fiber is hygroscopic and can harbor microbial growth if stored in humid conditions before use or if containers are not dried after washing. This is a storage/maintenance issue rather than an inherent chemical hazard.
Microplastic generation or fiber shedding
Fiber containers may shed small cellulose fragments during handling or extended food contact, particularly if abraded or degraded. Risk is low but present; fragments are biodegradable and not persistent microplastics in the synthetic sense.
What’s reassuring
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The manufacturer claims this product contains no PFAS.
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Coating leachables (proprietary barriers)
Footprint does not disclose use of traditional synthetic binders or barrier coatings for these containers; no public reports of leaching from the plant-fiber matrix itself exist. Any water or grease resistance appears to rely on fiber density and surface treatment rather than fluorinated chemistry.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No evidence of urea-formaldehyde or phenol-formaldehyde binders in Footprint plant-fiber containers. Industrial pulp molding typically does not require these resins for structural integrity in this application.
Source: ATSDR ↗Ink/printing chemical transfer
Footprint uses food-contact-safe inks on branded containers; no substantiated reports of dye or pigment migration into stored food. Standard due diligence applies: avoid contact of printed surfaces with food when possible.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Matter containers are molded from plant-based fiber pulp (typically sugarcane bagasse or similar agricultural residue), avoiding the plastic polymers and fluorinated coatings common in conventional food storage. This material composition eliminates the chemical architecture that normally requires PFAS water and grease barriers in competing products. Plant-fiber packaging is designed to break down in industrial composting environments within 90-180 days, reducing the persistent chemical exposure pathway of durable plastics.
The brand's record and disclosure
Footprint is a certified B Corp with public material sourcing standards and third-party compostability certifications (BPI, ASTM D6868). The company has published detailed product ingredient disclosures and maintains transparent supply chain documentation. No material controversies, recalls, or substantiated chemical safety violations have been reported for this product line as of public record.
How it compares in its category
Plant-fiber containers like this avoid the PFAS-heavy Teflon-family coating coatings found in most bleached paperboard and conventional plastic food storage. Compared to uncoated fiber containers, they retain structural integrity without relying on per- or polyfluorinated chemistry. They occupy a middle-ground cost and practical performance tier between fully compostable single-use alternatives and durable reusable plastics.
If you buy it
These containers are designed for cold to ambient-temperature foods; avoid prolonged microwave use or contact with hot liquids (above 50°C/122°F), as fiber softening accelerates at elevated temperatures and can compromise structural integrity. Store in cool, dry conditions to prevent mold growth in fiber interstices before use. After disposal, confirm access to industrial composting facilities in your area, as home composting may not reach temperatures necessary for reliable degradation. Do not reuse containers beyond their designed lifespan (typically 6-12 months of standard use).
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Footprint 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.