Naturally Chic · Food Packaging
Earth's Natural Alternative 9"x 9" 3-Compartment Carryout Containers
Lower concern but verify grease-resistant coating details with the manufacturer.
These compostable containers use molded fiber, a naturally lower-risk material than plastic. However, the grease-resistant or moisture barrier coating remains undisclosed by the manufacturer.
The safe swap
Earthwise
Earth-to-go Earth Bowl EB-32
85/100 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/paperboard with suspected 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.
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.
PFAS
Molded fiber containers typically rely on fluorinated coatings to meet FDA food contact regulations; the coating chemistry and migration potential are not disclosed by the manufacturer, and the brand has not published PFAS testing or PFOA-free certification.
Source: ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and leaching
Molded fiber coatings are susceptible to breakdown under heat, acidic foods, and oils over time; visible wear or peeling indicates accelerated chemical migration into food, particularly relevant for children's meals and frequent reuse.
Microplastics
As the fluorinated coating degrades, small particles may flake into food; while microplastic ingestion effects are still being studied, this is a known failure mode in molded fiber products with polymer-based coatings.
Source: EPA ↗Absence of food-contact compliance transparency
The brand does not disclose whether the product meets FDA food additive regulations (21 CFR 176.3400 for fluorinated coatings) or whether coating migration testing has been performed; this is standard information for responsible manufacturers.
Compostability claims vs. coating persistence
While molded fiber is compostable, fluorinated coatings do not readily biodegrade and may persist in compost or soil; the brand's 'natural alternative' messaging may mislead consumers into believing the entire product is biodegradable when the coating is likely not.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
These containers are molded fiber (recycled paper pulp) with an applied grease-resistant coating, likely fluorinated to repel oils and moisture. Molded fiber itself is food-safe and compostable, but the coating is the critical unknown: fluorinated coatings almost always contain PFAS compounds (per EPA and FDA guidance), and the specific fluorocarbon chain length and migration risk are not disclosed by Naturally Chic. Uncoated molded fiber would leach no chemical concerns, but the coating's composition and durability under actual use conditions is opaque.
The brand's record and disclosure
Naturally Chic provides no public disclosure of the specific grease-resistant coating formulation, ingredients, or PFAS testing results. No independent certifications (such as PFOA-free claims or third-party testing) appear on record. The brand's marketing emphasizes 'natural alternative' positioning but does not address the synthetic fluorinated coating chemistry, which is a significant transparency gap for a product marketed as eco-conscious. This silence on a known PFAS-prone feature is a red flag for informed consumers.
How it compares in its category
Molded fiber takeout containers are a growing alternative to plastic clamshells and wax-lined paperboard, but the grease-resistant coating is the trade-off: most commercial versions use fluorinated coatings to meet food contact standards. Uncoated compostable containers (lined only with starch or silicone) exist but are less grease-resistant and more prone to leaking with oily foods. Naturally Chic's product sits in the mainstream category, offering convenience at the cost of PFAS exposure; it is not a low-PFAS leader like some European or PFOA-free certified alternatives.
If you buy it
Use these containers only for cool or room-temperature foods (no microwave, no hot foods above 60-70 C / 140-160 F), as heat accelerates coating migration and PFAS leaching. Replace immediately if the interior coating shows visible cracking, peeling, or wear, as degradation increases chemical release. Contact Naturally Chic directly to request the grease-resistant coating supplier and PFAS content before repeat purchase. Store in a cool, dry place and avoid prolonged contact with acidic foods or oils, which can degrade the fluorinated layer.
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
- Naturally Chic 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.