World Centric · Food Packaging
World Centric TR-SC-UAR-LFS, 20 oz Compostable Fiber Take-Out Container (600/Case)
Lower-risk compostable option, but coating type unclear and PFAS status not disclosed.
These compostable fiber containers are marketed as plant-based alternatives and likely lower-concern than petroleum-based packaging. The brand doesn't disclose what waterproofing or grease-resistant coating is applied.
The safe swap
Footprint
Matter Compostable Food Storage Container 5ct
95/100 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
Compostable fiber pulp with 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.
Grease-resistant coating composition (unspecified)
Interior coating type not disclosed by manufacturer; if fluorochemical-based, migration into fatty or acidic foods is theoretically possible, though compostable fiber products typically see lower migration than plastic due to lower contact temperature in typical use.
Coating degradation over time or when heated
Fiber pulp coatings degrade faster than plastic under heat or repeated hydration; visible peeling, whitening, or flaking signals barrier failure and potential increased chemical migration into food contact.
Microplastic-like particles from fiber shedding
Fiber pulp containers can shed microscopic cellulose fragments or coating particles into food, especially when wet or warm; though natural fiber fragments are biodegradable, chronic ingestion of coating particles is unstudied.
Inadequate composting end-of-life (field disposal)
Certified compostable containers require industrial composting (55-60°C sustained heat); home or backyard composting may leave coating intact and undigested, trapping coated particles in soil long-term if PFAS-based coatings are present.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Recycled paper or bagasse sources can concentrate metals if improperly sourced, but no recalls or test data for this product indicate a problem; World Centric does not disclose feedstock origin.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
World Centric's TR-SC containers are molded fiber pulp (typically sugarcane bagasse or recycled paper) with a grease-resistant coating applied to the interior. Fiber pulp itself is inert, but the coating is the critical variable: it waterproofs and oil-proofs the container. The specific coating chemistry is not disclosed on the product label or World Centric's public materials, which is the primary concern. Undisclosed coatings in compostable food packaging often contain PFAS compounds (as noted in your PFAS grade), though newer alternatives like wax blends or non-fluorinated polymers exist.
The brand's record and disclosure
World Centric markets this product as certified compostable (typically ASTM D6868 or EN 13432), and the brand has built a reputation around sustainability. However, the company has been notably silent on PFAS use in its coatings, which is increasingly expected transparency from food packaging manufacturers responding to regulatory and consumer pressure. No major recalls or safety violations are on record for this specific SKU. The lack of proactive PFAS disclosure is a red flag relative to competitors like Footprint or some Huhtamaki lines that explicitly state fluorine-free or PFAS-free formulations.
How it compares in its category
Compostable fiber take-out containers occupy a middle ground: they avoid the PFAS certainty of traditional polycoated paperboard (which commonly uses aqueous film-forming Teflon-family coating) and the microplastic risk of PLA clamshells, but they trade transparency for the unknown. Alternatives include certified PFAS-free paperboard (Notpla, some Huhtamaki SKUs) or uncoated/wax-coated fiber (grease performance varies). World Centric's position is weaker on disclosure than leading compostable brands but stronger than legacy fast-food packaging, making it mid-tier in a greening market.
If you buy it
Use only for cold or warm (not hot) foods; prolonged heat (above 65°C/150°F) may degrade the coating and increase migration risk. Check containers before use for visible damage, tears, or delamination of the coating, as compromised barriers increase chemical leaching. Do not microwave. For commercial food service, track batch/case lot numbers in case targeted recalls arise. Request PFAS-free certification or coating ingredient disclosure from World Centric if you use bulk quantities; consumer pressure on transparency may prompt labeling updates.
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
- World Centric 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.