CKF Inc · Disposable Food Containers
Dart Foam Hinged Lid 3-Compartment
Skip; foam food packaging often uses PFAS water/grease barriers.
Dart foam hinged containers typically use fluorochemical coatings for grease resistance. CKF Inc provides no PFAS disclosure, making this product's safety status unclear.
The safe swap
Lakeland
Sustainables 3 Compartment Hinged Lid To Go Food Container
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its C.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polystyrene foam with unspecified coating/treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Dart Foam Hinged Lid containers are polystyrene foam (expanded PS), a petroleum-derived plastic known for low thermal stability and high leaching risk when in contact with fatty or hot foods. The specific coating or treatment on this product is not publicly disclosed by CKF Inc or Dart. Polystyrene foam food packaging frequently incorporates PFAS-based water and grease repellents to improve barrier properties; without explicit certification to the contrary, this hazard cannot be ruled out.
The brand's record and disclosure
CKF Inc manufactures food service disposables but maintains minimal public transparency regarding chemical composition or PFAS use in their foam lines. No third-party certifications (compostability, PFAS-free, BPA-free) are documented for this product line. The company has not published material safety data or alternatives to PFAS-based coatings for their foam hinged containers as of available public records.
How it compares in its category
Polystyrene foam hinged containers remain common in food service despite known leaching concerns; they are substantially cheaper than molded fiber (cardboard pulp) or uncoated polypropylene hinged alternatives. Molded fiber and rigid PP hinged lids carry lower chemical uncertainty and are increasingly competitive in cost. Uncoated foam or low-barrier foam options avoid PFAS but sacrifice grease resistance for oily foods.
If you buy it
Do not use for hot foods or fatty/acidic items; polystyrene foam accelerates breakdown and chemical migration at temperatures above 70-80°C. Avoid prolonged contact (beyond 2-4 hours) with oils, vinegars, and sauces. Single-use only; do not reuse or microwave. Consider switching to molded-fiber or polypropylene hinged containers for regular food storage or meal prep.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
PFAS in foam coatings (water/grease barrier)
Polystyrene foam food packaging commonly treats surfaces with PFOA or other PFAS compounds to repel water and grease; CKF provides no public assurance this product excludes these. Graded separately per your protocol.
Polystyrene monomer and oligomer leaching
Unpolymerized styrene and low-molecular-weight PS oligomers migrate into fatty foods and acidic liquids from foam packaging. Risk increases with heat, time, and fat content of food stored.
Thermal breakdown and brittleness over time
Polystyrene foam degrades structurally under UV, heat, and mechanical stress; hinged lids are prone to cracking, fragmentation, and microplastic contamination of food if stored or handled improperly.
Additive leachates (unspecified)
Foam manufacturing typically includes flame retardants, colorants, and processing aids; CKF's silence on formulation means specific additive hazards cannot be assessed. Potential for heavy metals in pigments or brominated compounds is not ruled out.
No recycling or certification marks
Dart foam hinged containers are rarely accepted in municipal recycling; no manufacturer claim of recyclability, compostability, or chemical safety certification on standard product labeling.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 40% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Disposable Food Containers
Lakeland
Sustainables 3 Compartment Hinged Lid To Go Food Container
Molded fiber/pulp (plant-based)
Lower concern. Molded fiber food containers unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Lakeland
Hefty Food Service Containers Rectangle 9 3/4" x 5" x 3 1/4" 125 ct
Polypropylene (disposable food containers)
Lower concern, but brand discloses nothing about PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Rubbermaid
TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers 10 Piece Set
polypropylene plastic containers with lids
Lower concern; basic plastic food storage with no known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
More disposable food containers 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.