Huhtamaki 68005b Hinged Food Container 9"x9"x3" Molded Fiber 1-compt
Lower risk. Uncoated molded fiber poses minimal PFAS concern despite lack of brand disclosure.
Huhtamaki's molded fiber hinged container is made from pressed plant pulp without intentional Teflon-family coating or water-repellent coating coatings. This base material carries lower PFAS risk than plastic-lined alternatives.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Molded fiber (pressed bagasse/wood pulp)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
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.
Microplastics
Molded fiber can release small paper fibers under mechanical stress (pressure, tearing, or prolonged wetness), though this is not a chemical toxicity issue. Minimal risk for solid foods; higher concern if container integrity is compromised before use.
Source: EPA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Molded fiber manufacturing may use urea-formaldehyde or melamine-formaldehyde resins as binders in the pulp matrix. Uncoated molded fiber typically uses minimal binder, and FDA compliance limits mean migration into food is expected to be very low. No documented risk for short-term contact with non-greasy foods.
Source: ATSDR ↗Mold or microbial growth
Porous molded fiber retains moisture and is susceptible to fungal growth if stored damp or in humid conditions before use. This is a handling and storage issue rather than a chemical hazard, but can contaminate food if container is pre-colonized.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
BPA & bisphenols
Standard uncoated molded fiber (like this model) contains no plastic polymer layer. If this specific SKU includes internal plastic coating or wax laminate, risk would exist, but product description indicates molded fiber only.
Source: FDA ↗Phthalates
Not present in uncoated molded fiber formulations. Risk would only arise if product contained PVC or plasticized components, which is not indicated for this model.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This container is molded fiber, typically made from recycled paperboard, bagasse (sugar cane waste), or wood pulp that is pressed and formed into shape. Molded fiber is inherently uncoated in most commercial food-service applications, meaning there is no polymer layer, laminate, or chemical finish applied to the interior. This absence of coating eliminates the primary vectors for BPA, phthalates, or other plastic-derived chemicals that would otherwise migrate into food.
The brand's record and disclosure
Huhtamaki is a major global food-service packaging manufacturer with established food-contact certifications (FDA compliance, EU food-contact regulations). The brand does not publish detailed PFAS ingredient disclosure for this specific product line, which is typical for molded fiber manufacturers. No recalls or safety violations specific to this container model are on record. Huhtamaki's silence on PFAS is consistent with industry practice for uncoated molded fiber, where PFAS presence would be incidental rather than intentional.
How it compares in its category
Molded fiber containers are a lower-chemical alternative to plastic clamshells (which may contain BPA or phthalates) and waxed cardboard (which may contain PFAS-based grease barriers). Compared to foam polystyrene takeout containers, molded fiber avoids styrene leaching and requires no flame retardants. This product sits in the safer segment of single-use food packaging, though durability and grease resistance are lower than coated alternatives.
If you buy it
Use for cold foods, deli items, baked goods, and room-temperature storage; avoid direct contact with hot liquids above 160°F, as fiber softens and may shed small particles. Do not microwave. For hot foods, transfer contents to ceramics or glass. Replace immediately if the container shows visible tears, softening, or water damage, as structural integrity becomes a contamination pathway. Store in a dry environment to prevent mold growth in the porous material.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Huhtamaki 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.