World Centric · Food Packaging
World Centric Salad Bowl
A water-repellent or grease-resistant treatment of unstated chemistry, with a brand PFAS statement we have not verified.
World Centric says its Leaf Plus molded fiber solution is PFAS free. We record that as an unverified brand claim. Its record describes a water-repellent or grease-resistant treatment of unstated chemistry, which is still counted.
Brand says: “World Centric says its Leaf Plus molded fiber solution is PFAS free.”
The better-graded swap
Eco-Products
Eco-Products WorldView Sugarcane Take-Out Containers
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
Fiber-based molded food container
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
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What World Centric Salad Bowl is made of, ingredients and materials
World Centric Salad Bowls are molded from fiber-based material, typically bleached or unbleached wood pulp or agricultural residue (bagasse, wheat straw). The fiber matrix itself is food-safe and compostable in industrial settings. However, the product includes a water and grease-resistant coating of unstated chemistry, which is the primary safety variable. This coating is necessary to prevent the porous fiber from absorbing oils and liquids, but its exact formulation is not publicly disclosed.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Coating leachables (unstated chemistry)
Grease-resistant and water-resistant treatments on fiber are nearly universal, but World Centric does not disclose the specific polymer, resin, or additive chemistry. Without independent testing or published formulation, low-level migration of coating components into fatty or acidic foods cannot be ruled out.
PFAS
Brand claims PFAS-free status, but the claim has not been independently verified by third-party lab testing. Grease-resistant coatings historically relied on PFAS compounds; absence of verification leaves residual uncertainty.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastics
If the water-repellent coating is a synthetic polymer (resin or acrylic-based), degradation over time or contact with abrasive foods could generate micro-particles. Risk is higher if the product is reused beyond single use or exposed to physical stress.
Source, EPA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Molded fiber containers sometimes use urea-formaldehyde or melamine-formaldehyde binders to strengthen the pulp matrix. World Centric does not publicly specify whether such resins are used. Migration into food is typically low at room temperature but increases with heat or fatty foods.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The brand states this product is PFAS-free. We have not verified the claim.
Bleaching residues or chlorine compounds
If the fiber is chlorine-bleached, trace residues are theoretically possible, but regulatory standards for food-contact fiber containers typically limit such residues to negligible levels. No specific issues reported for World Centric products.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
World Centric claims PFAS-free status but has not published independent test reports, third-party certifications, or specific coating formulation details to verify this claim. The brand is known for compostable-focused messaging and holds some certifications (e.g., compostability standards), but transparency on coating chemistry is limited. No major product recalls or health controversies are on record for this product line.
How it compares in its category
Fiber-based molded containers like this are generally considered lower-risk alternatives to plastic clamshells or heavily coated paper boards, provided the coating is disclosed and tested. Most major competitors (Footprint, Notpla, EarthHero branded containers) similarly use coatings of proprietary chemistry. Independent PFAS testing of fiber containers across brands remains sparse, making relative ranking difficult. World Centric's positioning as 'PFAS-free' is competitive but unverified.
If you buy it
Use for room-temperature and cold foods only; manufacturer guidance suggests avoiding hot or very hot foods, which can accelerate coating breakdown. Do not microwave or heat in an oven. Inspect the bowl before use for cracks, tears, or obvious degradation of the coating. These products are designed for single use, typically, and should be composted after use rather than reused repeatedly. Store in a cool, dry place; prolonged moisture exposure can weaken the fiber matrix.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- World Centric has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to World Centric Salad Bowl?
- 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.