9 x 9 x 3 Fiber Clamshell (3 Compartment) 200 per case
Avoid until the brand reveals its barrier coating chemistry.
Fiber clamshells rely on water and grease-resistant coatings to prevent food leakage. Won't disclose what chemical does that job.
The better-graded swap
Eco-Products
Eco-Products 12 oz. World Art Compostable Food Containers 25-ct. pack
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
Molded fiber pulp with unspecified water/grease-resistant coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What 9 x 9 x 3 Fiber Clamshell (3 per case is made of, ingredients and materials
This product is molded fiber pulp (recycled paper/plant material) with an unspecified water and grease-resistant coating applied to the interior surfaces. Molded fiber itself is inert, but the coating chemistry is the critical unknown, manufacturers use proprietary blends of polymers, waxes, and chemical binders to repel moisture and oils, and these formulations vary widely in safety profile. Without disclosure of the specific barrier coating, you cannot assess whether it contains PFAS, phthalates, or other leachable substances, especially when exposed to acidic, fatty, or hot foods.
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
Molded fiber coatings often contain proprietary polymer binders and synthetic waxes; acidic or fatty foods may promote migration of oligomers or plasticizers from the coating into food, though specific substances are unknown without disclosure.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
Molded fiber clamshells degrade over time and with moisture exposure; peeling or flaking coatings can introduce coating fragments (visible or submicron) into food, especially if stored in humid conditions or reused.
Unlisted chemical residues from manufacturing
Molded fiber pulp production may use bleach, sizing agents, or anti-microbial treatments; residual chemicals from manufacturing are rarely declared and may leach into food-contact surfaces.
Thermal stability of coating unknown
Without specification of the coating's melting or degradation temperature, you cannot determine safe upper limits for storage or accidental heat exposure; some barrier coatings release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or degradation byproducts when heated.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
If the pulp source includes post-consumer recycled fiber, contamination by lead from old printing inks or heavy metals is theoretically possible but not documented for products; food-contact molded fiber is typically made from virgin or pre-sorted fiber.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The brand has not publicly disclosed the chemical composition of its clamshell coating or responded to inquiries about PFAS content. No third-party certifications (such as FDA approval, compostability standards with chemical verification, or SafeChoice labeling) are on record for this specific product line. The brand's silence on a known industry concern (PFAS prevalence in food-contact fiber coatings) is a red flag for informed purchasing.
How it compares in its category
Molded fiber clamshells are marketed as eco-friendly alternatives to plastic hinged containers, but they occupy a murky middle ground, they avoid BPA and phthalates from plastic, but many now use fluorinated or non-fluorinated barrier coatings with unproven safety records. Competing brands (including some with public PFAS commitments or third-party testing) offer greater transparency. Uncoated molded fiber or certified compostable plastics present lower concern if you know the full supply chain.
If you buy it
Restrict use to cold or room-temperature foods only; heat accelerates migration of coating chemicals, and hot/oily foods (pizza, fried items, soups) are highest-risk. Do not use in microwaves or conventional ovens. Replace containers every 6 months or immediately if the interior coating shows peeling, discoloration, or degradation. Request the manufacturer's Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the coating; if unavailable, escalate to the distributor or stop ordering until the brand provides it.
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
- has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to 9 x 9 x 3 Fiber Clamshell (3 Compartment) 200 per case?
- 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.