Pactiv Evergreen · Food Packaging
Pactiv EarthChoice Versa2Go Microwaveable Container 6.8 x 6.8 x
Wait for Pactiv to disclose whether the coating uses fluorinated chemicals.
This molded fiber container has a moisture and grease barrier coating, but Pactiv won't say if it contains PFAS. Fluorinated coatings in molded fiber are common for oil and water resistance.
The better-graded swap
Vegware
Vegware Compostable Microflute Takeaway Box
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
Molded fiber/paperboard with moisture barrier coating (unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Pactiv EarthChoice Versa2Go Container is made of, ingredients and materials
Pactiv EarthChoice Versa2Go containers are molded fiber (recycled paper pulp) with a moisture barrier coating applied to prevent grease and liquid penetration. The specific chemistry of this coating is not publicly disclosed by Pactiv Evergreen. Molded fiber itself is considered low-toxicity, but the barrier layer is the unknown variable, it may contain PFAS (fluorinated chemicals) or other polymeric sealants. The coating's thermal stability under microwave heating is critical to safety.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
The undisclosed moisture barrier may leach plasticizers, oligomers, or polymer fragments into food under heat or fatty conditions. FDA regulations allow some migration, but specific limits depend on coating identity, which Pactiv has not revealed.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microwave heating degradation
Molded fiber with polymer coatings can soften or partially decompose at high microwave temperatures (>80 C sustained), potentially releasing coating fragments. Pactiv labels it microwave-safe, but duration and power limits are not specified on packaging.
Microplastic or fiber shedding
Repeated heating, acidic foods, or physical wear may cause paper fibers or coating particles to dislodge into food. This is a low-acute-risk hazard but more likely in molded fiber than rigid containers, especially if the coating integrity is compromised.
Coating chemical identity uncertainty (regulatory compliance risk)
Industry-wide, molded fiber food containers have faced scrutiny over non-disclosure of barrier chemicals. Without Pactiv's explicit statement that coatings are PFAS-free and FDA-compliant, consumers cannot independently verify safety.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Molded fiber manufacturing may use formaldehyde-based binders or cross-linking agents. No formaldehyde contamination has been reported for Pactiv EarthChoice lines, and FDA food-contact regulations limit emissions, but ingredient confirmation is unavailable.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Pactiv Evergreen has not publicly committed to PFAS-free formulations or disclosed coating chemistry for this product line. The company markets 'EarthChoice' as an eco-focused brand but has provided no third-party certifications (such as FDA migration testing or PFAS testing) for Versa2Go containers. No major recalls or established safety incidents are on record for this specific product, but the lack of chemical transparency is a compliance and consumer trust gap in an industry where leading competitors (notably some compostable container makers) have begun disclosing PFAS status.
How it compares in its category
Molded fiber food containers occupy a middle ground between plastic clamshells (higher chemical leaching risk but more durable) and compostable PLA containers (variable in moisture barriers and PFAS-related concerns). Versa2Go is positioned as a greener alternative to polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate but lacks the transparency of premium brands offering PFAS-free or certified-safe coatings. Performance-wise, molded fiber containers are reliable for dry and moderately moist foods but have lower temperature ceilings than rigid plastics.
If you buy it
Use for room-temperature and warm (not hot) foods and liquids; microwave heating is permitted per label but avoid prolonged exposure or very high power settings, as barrier coat stability under sustained heat is unverified. Do not use for fatty foods or acidic liquids for extended storage, as the coating's resistance to lipid and acid migration is unspecified. Replace containers if visible damage or deterioration occurs. Composting or recycling is acceptable; do not burn in a home fireplace due to unknown coating composition.
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
- Pactiv Evergreen has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Pactiv EarthChoice Versa2Go Microwaveable Container 6.8 x 6.8 x?
- 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.