World Centric · Food Packaging
World Centric 9x9" Compostable Fiber Linear Takeout Containers
Avoid until the manufacturer clarifies coating chemistry, compostable does not mean PFAS-free.
These fiber containers are marketed as compostable, but the grease and water-resistant coating chemistry isn't publicly disclosed. Compostable fiber often uses fluorinated compounds or other PFAS for oil barriers.
The better-graded swap
Eco-Products
Eco Products WorldView Compostable Take-Out Containers EP-SCRC32
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
Fiber-based compostable container with unspecified water/grease-resistant coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What World Centric 9x9" Compostable Containers is made of, ingredients and materials
World Centric 9x9 containers are fiber-based (likely sugarcane bagasse or wood pulp) with an applied water and grease-resistant coating to prevent leakage during use and storage. The coating chemistry is not disclosed by Footprint on product documentation or websites reviewed in public records. Fiber-based foodware is inherently porous, so the coating's integrity and composition directly determine whether contaminants migrate into food, especially under heat or with fatty/acidic contents.
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
Coating chemistry unconfirmed by manufacturer. Water/grease-resistant coatings in compostable fiber containers often rely on PFAS compounds; absence of public disclosure is a red flag in this product category.
Source, ATSDR ↗PFAS
If the coating is non-fluorinated, alternative monomers or oligomers used in water-resistant formulations (e.g., siloxanes, synthetic waxes, or phenolic resins) may leach under heat or with fatty foods. No testing data available for this specific product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fiber degradation and particulate migration
Compostable fiber containers can shed microfibers or particulates if coating is compromised. Damage during transport, storage, or use may expose porous base material, though risk is lower than with plastic microplastics.
What’s reassuring
Microorganism and moisture retention
No specific contamination reports for this brand. However, fiber-based containers can retain moisture if coating develops cracks, creating conditions for mold or bacterial colonization; risk is minimal if used and stored correctly.
Ink or adhesive residues on exterior
Printed logos and branding on these containers typically use food-grade inks, but composition is not itemized in public disclosures. Risk is low for contact with food unless ink transfers to interior surfaces through condensation or stacking.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Footprint markets these containers as compostable and emphasizes environmental credentials, but does not publicly disclose the specific fluorinated or non-fluorinated chemistry of its water/grease coating. No independent certification (e.g., FDA, NSF, or third-party PFAS testing) of the coating formulation has been found in public records. The company has not issued a statement confirming PFAS-free status despite industry-wide scrutiny of compostable foodware coatings since 2020.
How it compares in its category
Most compostable fiber takeout containers on the market use either fluorinated coatings (PFAS-based, faster water/oil barrier) or non-fluorinated alternatives (wax, silicone, or natural resin blends). Containers from brands like Vegware and Footprint's own disclosures for some products do mention PFAS avoidance, but this specific model line does not. Compared to traditional polystyrene foam or plastic clamshells, the compostable fiber base is lower-risk for chemical migration, but the coating remains the critical unknown.
If you buy it
Use these containers for room-temperature or cold foods (salads, deli items, baked goods) and avoid microwave heating, hot soups, or greasy items at temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius until coating safety is confirmed. Inspect for coating wear or discoloration before each use; discard if the surface shows cracks, flaking, or water absorption. Store in a cool, dry place to minimize coating degradation. Contact Footprint directly requesting written confirmation of the coating formulation and PFAS-free certification before using with high-heat or high-fat foods.
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
- World Centric has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to World Centric 9x9" Compostable Fiber Linear Takeout Containers?
- 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
Eco Products WorldView Compostable Take-Out Containers EP-SCRC32
- 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
- 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.