Lakeland · Disposable Food Containers
Stock Your Home 8-Inch Clamshell Takeout Containers
Greaseproof takeout containers carry PFAS risk, skip if concerned.
Polystyrene clamshells frequently receive grease-resistant coatings that may contain PFAS to repel food oils. Lakeland provides no PFAS disclosure or independent testing for this line.
The safe swap
Rubbermaid
Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Special-Edition Americana Food Storage Container 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 clamshell with greaseproof 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 leaches styrene, particularly when heated above 70C or exposed to fatty, acidic, or alcoholic foods. Cold foods at room temperature pose minimal acute risk but chronic low-level exposure over years of use is a known concern.
PFAS
Fluorochemical grease barriers in takeout containers are established sources of PFOA, PFOS, and other legacy PFAS compounds. Migration increases with heat, fat content, and container age. Lakeland provides no statement that this coating is PFAS-free or uses newer alternatives.
Source: ATSDR ↗Microplastics
As polystyrene containers age, embrittlement and cracking release small plastic fragments into food, especially if reused, microwaved, or exposed to sun. Risk is elevated if containers are used repeatedly over months.
Source: EPA ↗Coating flaking or particle ingestion
Greaseproof coatings can degrade and separate from the polystyrene substrate over time, especially with thermal stress or mechanical wear, potentially introducing coating particles into food.
What’s reassuring
BPA & bisphenols
Polystyrene clamshells do not typically contain BPA/BPS as part of the base polymer, though some greaseproof additives or manufacturing aids may include other endocrine disruptors; manufacturer transparency is absent.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Stock Your Home clamshells are polystyrene (PS, #6 plastic), a petroleum-derived polymer known to leach styrene monomers, especially when heated or in contact with fatty foods. The 'greaseproof coating' is typically a fluorochemical treatment designed to repel oils and moisture, which is the primary PFAS exposure vector in this product category. Polystyrene is rigid and clear but degrades under heat and UV, potentially releasing both styrene and coating particles over time.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lakeland (UK-based homewares retailer) has not publicly disclosed chemical composition, PFAS-free certification, or commitments to phasing fluorinated coatings on food packaging. The brand does not appear on major chemical transparency databases or sustainability reports specific to food-contact materials. No known recalls or chemical safety incidents are on record for this specific product line.
How it compares in its category
Polystyrene clamshells with greaseproof coatings are industry standard for takeout and remain cheaper than alternatives (bagasse, molded fiber, uncoated cardboard), but carry documented PFAS and styrene concerns. Competitors like Footprint and some major foodservice suppliers now offer PFAS-free or plant-based alternatives. These Stock Your Home containers lack third-party greaseproof certification (e.g., compostability, PFOA-free claims) that would differentiate them as safer.
If you buy it
Use only for cold or room-temperature foods; do not microwave or fill with hot liquids, as heat accelerates styrene and coating leaching. Replace if containers become cloudy, brittle, or visibly degraded. Limit exposure time for fatty foods (oils, meats, cheese) as lipophilic PFAS compounds migrate preferentially into fats. Store in a cool, dark place away from sunlight to slow polymer degradation.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 62% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Lakeland has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Disposable Food Containers
Lakeland
Sustainables 3 Compartment Hinged Lid To Go Food Container
Molded fiber/pulp (plant-based)
Degradation and food contact integrity
Limited concern
Mold or bacterial growth from moisture retention
Limited concern
Lower concern, molded fiber food containers rarely contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Rubbermaid
TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers 10 Piece Set
polypropylene plastic containers with lids
Microplastics
Limited concern
Leaching from lid components
Limited concern
Mold and bacterial growth in seals
Moderate concern
Lower concern, basic plastic food storage with no known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
Rubbermaid
TakeAlongs Meal Prep Containers
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.