Quaker Rice Crisps Butter Popcorn
Food packaging PFAS risk unknown; Quaker provides no ingredient disclosure.
Rice crisp snack packages commonly use grease-resistant coatings that may contain PFAS, but Quaker does not disclose coating composition. No third-party testing data available for this product.
The better-graded swap
Quaker
Quaker Butter Popcorn Rice Cakes
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
paper/paperboard package with grease-resistant coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Quaker Rice Crisps Butter Popcorn is made of, ingredients and materials
Quaker Rice Crisps Butter Popcorn comes in a paper/paperboard package treated with a grease-resistant coating to prevent oil migration and preserve crispness. The chemistry of that coating is not disclosed by Quaker. Grease-resistant food packaging coatings historically relied on PFAS compounds (fluorochemicals), though some manufacturers have begun transitioning to PFAS-free alternatives. Without ingredient transparency, the specific formulation cannot be assessed.
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.
PFAS
Coating formulation is not disclosed. Historically, grease-resistant food packaging coatings contained PFAS; newer alternatives exist but cannot be confirmed in this product. Migration risk to fatty snack contents is elevated compared to uncoated paper.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation over time or under heat
Fluorochemical or alternative grease-resistant coatings can degrade if exposed to temperatures above room temperature or prolonged humidity. Degraded coating particles or leachates could theoretically enter the snack; no specific incidents are on record for this product.
What’s reassuring
Microplastics
Paper-based packages do not shed microplastics in the way that plastic films do. However, if the coating itself is polymer-based, physical wear or degradation could release fine particles; no documented occurrence in this product.
Source, EPA ↗BPA & bisphenols
Paper and paperboard packaging is not a known source of BPA; however, adhesives and printing inks in multi-layer food packages can occasionally contain regulated compounds. No specific concerns are on record for Quaker's paper snack packaging.
Source, FDA ↗Ink migration from printed graphics
Quaker's packaging uses conventional food-grade inks regulated by FDA. No known incidents of ink migration into this product; printing is on the exterior and separated from the snack by the grease-resistant coating.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Quaker (PepsiCo subsidiary) has not publicly disclosed the grease-resistant coating chemistry in this product or committed to PFAS-free packaging transitions. The company maintains a largely silent stance on food packaging chemical composition beyond regulatory compliance. No major recalls or documented chemical contamination events are on record for this specific product line related to packaging hazards.
How it compares in its category
Most ready-to-eat snack packaging in this category uses grease-resistant coatings, and PFAS disclosure remains rare across major brands. Some competitors (e.g., certain organic or premium lines) market PFAS-free or uncoated paper alternatives, though Quaker has not prominently adopted this positioning. This product sits in the mainstream, where coating chemistry remains largely invisible to consumers.
If you buy it
Store the package in a cool, dry place away from heat sources; grease-resistant coatings are not designed for temperatures above room temperature and may degrade or leach into contents if heated. Do not reuse the package for storage of other foods or liquids. If chemical odor or visual coating degradation occurs, discard the package. Consider requesting ingredient transparency from Quaker if packaging chemical safety is a concern for your household.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Quaker has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Microwave Popcorn
Quaker
Butter Popcorn Rice Cakes
- puffed rice cakes in paperboard packaging
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Mold or bacterial growth in packaging
Trader Joe's
2 Packs Trader Joe's Synergistically Seasoned Popcorn 5.5 Oz Each Pack
- paperboard popcorn bag, grease-resistant interior lining
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Moisture and mold risk if bag is compromised
Wabash Valley
Farms Sweet
- paper-based food packaging with standard coating
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Ink migration (printing on exterior or interior)
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
More microwave popcorn 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.