New Roots Kraft PLA-Lined Compostable #4 Take-Out Container 7 3/4" x 5 1/2" x 3 1/2" - 160/Case
Lower concern, but verify coating composition directly with brand first.
PLA-lined compostable containers avoid Teflon-family coating coatings, but kraft paper lining may have received water and grease-resistant treatment. Footprint provides no public PFAS policies or testing.
The safe swap
Plate Mate
Plant Plates
85/100 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
PLA bioplastic with kraft paper lining
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
PFAS
Kraft linings in compostable containers often use water- and grease-resistant treatments that may contain perfluorinated or polyfluorinated compounds. Footprint does not publicly disclose coating composition; direct inquiry required to confirm whether fluorine-free alternatives are used on this #4 model.
Source: ATSDR ↗PLA oligomer leaching
PLA containers are documented in peer-reviewed studies to release small quantities of lactide oligomers into foods, particularly fatty and acidic items when heated. This is generally considered low-risk at typical exposure levels, but leaching increases substantially above 50°C.
Thermal degradation and structural failure
PLA softens and warps noticeably at temperatures above 55-60°C, well below typical hot-food serving ranges. This can lead to container failure, spills, and potential contamination; it is not suitable for hot soup, beverages, or foods requiring heat retention.
Microplastic shedding from kraft fiber breakdown
Prolonged contact with liquids or mechanical wear can cause kraft fibers to separate and enter food. The extent depends on coating integrity and storage duration; short-term use poses minimal risk.
What’s reassuring
BPA & bisphenols
PLA does not contain BPA, BPS, or phthalate plasticizers by formulation. This product is safer in this regard than conventional polycarbonate and vinyl alternatives.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This container is PLA (polylactic acid), a bioplastic derived from corn or sugarcane, lined with kraft paper. PLA does not contain BPA, BPS, or traditional phthalates, making it chemically simpler than polycarbonate or vinyl alternatives. However, PLA's weakness is thermal and chemical stability: it begins softening above 50-60°C and can leach small amounts of oligomers (unpolymerized building blocks) into fatty or acidic foods, especially when warm. The kraft lining may also contain fluorochemical coatings for grease resistance, which is the main hidden hazard in this product class.
The brand's record and disclosure
Footprint is a major compostable packaging supplier founded to reduce single-use plastics and promote industrial composting. The company markets sustainability credentials but maintains limited transparency on coating chemistry; they do not publicly disclose whether their kraft linings use PFAS-containing water-repellent treatments or fluorine-free alternatives. No major product recalls or safety violations are on record for this specific product. Buyers should contact Footprint directly to confirm whether this #4 container uses fluorochemical coatings and ask for a safety data sheet (SDS) for the kraft substrate.
How it compares in its category
PLA compostable containers are chemically safer than conventional polystyrene or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for room-temperature and mildly warm foods because they avoid common plasticizer leaching. However, they are functionally weaker: PLA degrades faster under heat, UV, and prolonged storage compared to traditional plastics. Kraft-lined versions are preferable to uncoated PLA for wet or fatty foods but introduce uncertainty around fluorochemical additives. Unlined fiber containers or PLA without kraft lining are marginally safer if composting infrastructure is available.
If you buy it
Use these containers only for room-temperature or mildly warm (under 50°C / 120°F) foods; hot liquids or foods above this threshold accelerate PLA softening and oligomer migration. Avoid prolonged contact with fatty dressings, oils, or acidic sauces, which can penetrate and degrade the kraft coating. Store in cool, dark conditions; PLA becomes brittle under UV and heat over weeks to months. For industrial food service, confirm with your composting facility that they accept PLA; many municipal systems do not, making these containers contamination risks in standard recycling.
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
- Footprint has made none
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.