Planet+ Compostable Clear Deli Container
Avoid until coating transparency and PFAS testing improve.
Planet+ calls this container compostable but hides the moisture-barrier coating. That's where PFAS risk typically hides in these products.
The better-graded swap
Karat
Karat Earth Eco-Friendly PLA Round Deli Container
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
Plant-based plastic (likely PLA) with unspecified moisture barrier coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Planet+ Compostable Clear Deli Container is made of, ingredients and materials
This container is made from PLA (polylactic acid), a plant-derived thermoplastic made from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane. The manufacturer has applied an unspecified moisture barrier coating to prevent grease and liquid seepage, which is typical for deli containers but introduces uncertainty about what chemical is actually on the food-contact surface. PLA degrades faster than conventional petroleum plastics when exposed to prolonged heat, moisture, or microbial activity, which affects both its functional lifespan and the stability of any applied coating.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Vague safety claims only
Uses vague language ("eco-friendly", "clean") without a specific PFAS statement.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Unspecified moisture barrier coating composition
The barrier layer's chemical identity is not disclosed by the manufacturer. Moisture barriers in PLA containers often contain wax, silicone, or synthetic polymers; without transparency, the potential for food-contact leaching or toxicological concern cannot be ruled out.
Coating degradation upon heating or microbial attack
PLA and its applied coatings are vulnerable to thermal and biological stress. Hot foods, microwaving, or prolonged moisture exposure can cause coating breakdown, releasing particles or allowing substrate leaching into food. This risk is higher for an unspecified coating of unknown durability.
Microplastic shedding or fragmentation
PLA is brittle compared to conventional plastics and can shed microparticles when scratched, flexed repeatedly, or exposed to UV. While the barrier coating may reduce direct shedding, damage to either layer could release fragments into food, particularly if the container is reused or stored under stress.
Incomplete composting in non-industrial settings
PLA labeled compostable requires industrial composting temperatures (55-58 degrees Celsius for weeks). If disposed of in home compost, landfills, or marine environments, it persists for years and fragments into microplastics, contrary to the compostable label's implied benefit.
What’s reassuring
BPA & bisphenols
No record of BPA or BPS contamination in Planet+ deli containers exists. However, because the coating identity is undisclosed, the absence of public testing data does not guarantee absence of these chemicals. Independent lab confirmation would be required to rule this out.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Planet+ has not publicly disclosed the identity or safety testing data for the moisture barrier coating used on this product. No certifications from the FDA, BPA-free claims, or independent third-party assessments of this specific container are on record. The brand's silence on PFAS and coating composition reflects a broader lack of transparency common among compostable packaging manufacturers, making independent verification of food-contact safety difficult for consumers.
How it compares in its category
Most compostable deli containers on the market use either uncoated PLA (limited barrier, suitable only for dry items) or PLA with proprietary barrier coatings of unknown composition. Glass or metal alternatives eliminate coating uncertainty but increase cost and weight. Conventional plastic deli containers (PET, polypropylene) typically have more transparent safety data but do not compost; this product's environmental benefit depends on actual industrial composting access, which most U.S. consumers lack.
If you buy it
Use only for cold or room-temperature foods; never microwave or fill with hot liquids above 50 degrees Celsius, as PLA softens and coatings may degrade. Replace containers if the surface shows cloudiness, cracks, or sticky residue, which indicates coating breakdown and potential leaching. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, as PLA degrades faster under UV exposure. If you have access to industrial composting, follow local facility guidelines; home composting is generally too cool for PLA to break down reliably.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Planet+ has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Planet+ Compostable Clear Deli Container?
- 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.