Hefty · Disposable Food Containers
Hefty Clear Hinged Tray 8" x 8" 125 ct.
Grease-resistant food trays often contain PFAS, no disclosure suggests risk.
Clear hinged polystyrene trays typically include grease-resistant coatings. Hefty makes no PFAS disclosure, leaving ingredient sourcing and composition unknown.
The safe swap
Rubbermaid
Rubbermaid TakeAlongs 6.2 Cup Medium Bowls (6-Piece Set)
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Good.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polystyrene (PS) with unclear grease-resistant coating
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.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Styrene monomer leaching
Polystyrene naturally sheds trace styrene monomer, especially when contacted by fatty foods, oils, or acids. Heating accelerates this; room-temperature use with dry foods minimizes exposure.
Grease-resistant coating degradation and particle shedding
Teflon-family coating coatings on food trays are prone to chipping, cracking, or peeling over time and with washing, potentially releasing coating particles into food. Single-use and immediate disposal mitigate this risk.
Styrene and additive migration into fatty/oily foods
Polystyrene additives (including plasticizers and stabilizers) migrate preferentially into fatty, acidic, or alcoholic foods. Bakery items with oils, sauces, and cheese-based foods pose higher risk than dry crackers or vegetables.
Microplastics
Physical stress (stacking, handling, temperature swings) causes microcracking in polystyrene, potentially releasing small particles into food during storage or handling. Risk increases if trays are reused or stored for extended periods.
Source: EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Hefty Clear Hinged Trays are polystyrene (PS, #6 plastic), a rigid foam or solid polymer commonly used for food takeout and bakery packaging. The 'grease-resistant' coating on these trays is likely a Teflon-family coating finish applied to prevent oil and moisture penetration, which typically contains PFAS compounds. Polystyrene itself is stable at room temperature but degrades when exposed to heat, oils, or prolonged sunlight, potentially releasing styrene monomer and other breakdown products into food.
The brand's record and disclosure
Hefty (owned by Reynolds Consumer Products) does not publicly disclose the composition of grease-resistant coatings on its food trays. The company has not published statements on PFAS elimination, transition timelines, or third-party testing results for these products. Industry-wide, food service manufacturers have faced pressure from state regulations (California, Vermont, New York) to eliminate PFAS in food contact materials, but Hefty's compliance status and product reformulation timelines remain opaque to consumers.
How it compares in its category
Clear hinged polystyrene trays are among the most common single-use food packaging in North America and consistently rank high in PFAS risk due to their grease-resistant coatings. Uncoated alternatives (cardboard clamshells, plain polystyrene without treatment) carry lower PFAS exposure but sacrifice grease barrier performance. Compostable or paper-based hinged containers (often from brands marketing PFAS-free status) are increasingly available but cost more and may still use fluorinated coatings.
If you buy it
Reserve these trays for cold or room-temperature foods only; do not microwave or fill with hot items, as heat accelerates polystyrene degradation and potential coating leaching. Do not reuse for food storage; these are designed as single-use items and washing may compromise coating integrity. If you regularly purchase takeout in these trays, consider requesting uncoated or labeled PFAS-free alternatives from vendors, or transfer food to glass or ceramic immediately upon arrival.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Hefty has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Disposable Food Containers
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Rubbermaid
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⚠Risky category by default
Rubbermaid
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polypropylene (PP) container, polyester gasket
Microplastics
Limited concern
Polyester gasket degradation
Limited concern
Odor absorption and food flavor transfer
Moderate concern
Lower concern for PFAS, no Teflon-family coating coatings typical of this type.
⚠Risky category by default
More disposable food containers 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.