16 oz. Compostable Soup Container, 115-Series, Pack 25
Lower concern; compostable packaging with verified PFAS-free status and third-party certification.
These bagasse containers carry independent certification confirming PFOA and PFAS absence, plus plant-based coatings and compostable design. The brand's transparent PFAS-free commitment and verified materials make this a safer choice.
Brand says: “Vegware's product range is certified PFOA and PFAS-free by independent third parties.”
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Bagasse (sugarcane fiber) with plant-based coating
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Coating degradation and chemical transfer
Plant-based PLA coatings can hydrolyze or leach oligomers if exposed to hot liquids or prolonged moisture; however, Vegware's formulations are designed to remain stable at normal food storage temperatures. Risk is low for soups served warm but not boiling.
Microplastic shedding from fiber breakdown
Bagasse fibers are natural cellulose and do not shed microplastics by definition; however, any coating fragments that separate could be ingested if containers degrade during use. This is a low probability event with proper temperature control.
Mold or microbial growth from moisture retention
Bagasse's porous structure can retain moisture if stored in humid conditions or if liquid seeps into the fiber matrix before composting. Proper storage in dry conditions and timely composting minimize this risk.
What’s reassuring
Third-party PFAS-free verification
A third party independently verified this product is PFAS-free.
Heavy metals
Vegware's standard 115-Series containers use soy-based inks and water-based printing; no documented heavy metal contamination in inks has been reported for this brand. Food contact surface is unprinted, further reducing exposure risk.
Source: FDA ↗Allergen contamination during sugarcane processing
Bagasse is a fibrous byproduct, not a processed food ingredient, and carries no established cross-contamination risk for common food allergens during manufacturing.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Vegware's 115-Series uses bagasse, the fibrous residue left after sugar extraction from sugarcane, bonded with a plant-based (typically polylactic acid or PLA-derived) coating. This material is designed to be industrially compostable within 12 weeks and avoids petroleum-based plastics entirely. The plant-based coating replaces synthetic polymers and fluorinated compounds, reducing the risk of leaching synthetic chemicals into food or soil during breakdown.
The brand's record and disclosure
Vegware is owned by Footprint and has publicly committed to PFAS-free certification across its product range. The company has achieved certification from the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and provides transparent material declarations on its website. No significant recalls or chemical contamination incidents have been reported for this product line. Vegware has been consistent in avoiding halogenated flame retardants and PFOA/PFOS in coatings, which distinguishes it from many conventional food container manufacturers.
How it compares in its category
Compostable bagasse containers represent a significant step beyond conventional polystyrene foam or plastic clamshells, which carry documented risks of styrene off-gassing and microplastic shedding when heated. Compared to bleached paperboard containers with plastic linings, Vegware avoids the PFAS-laden aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) coatings historically used in paper food service packaging. The main trade-off is that bagasse requires industrial composting infrastructure, not home compost; conventional plastics are recyclable but persistently hazardous.
If you buy it
Use these containers for cold or ambient-temperature foods and soups that have cooled to below 60°C (140°F); high heat can compromise the plant-based coating and trigger premature breakdown or transfer of coating components. Do not microwave or expose to prolonged direct heat. Ensure contents are disposed into industrial compost facilities (check your municipal program) rather than landfill or home compost to realize the safety and environmental benefit. Replace containers if visible cracks, discoloration, or deterioration appears before use.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Vegware has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Food Packaging
World Centric
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Fiber-based (wood pulp/molded fiber), compostable coating
Proprietary coating chemical migration
Limited concern
Moisture and microbial growth in fiber matrix
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Coating degradation under heat or fatty foods
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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
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Coating degradation under heat and moisture
Limited concern
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✓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.