Durable Packaging · Disposable Food Service Containers
Stock Your Home Plastic 5 x 5 Inch Clamshell Takeout
Skip. PFAS risk likely due to grease-resistant coating.
Polystyrene food clamshells often use PFAS-based grease barriers. Brand makes no PFAS disclosure. No third-party verification available.
The safe swap
Compostables
Eco-Products Compostable Clear Clamshell Hinged Food
100/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polystyrene clamshell, likely grease-resistant coating
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
This is a polystyrene (PS #6) clamshell, a rigid thermoplastic commonly used for takeout because it is lightweight and clear. Polystyrene itself is considered relatively stable under room temperature, but the grease-resistant coating applied to these containers to repel oils and sauces is the primary chemical concern. Grease-resistant food-contact coatings on polystyrene have historically relied on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) to achieve water and oil repellency; this product's coating composition is not disclosed by the manufacturer.
The brand's record and disclosure
Durable Packaging, a major supplier of disposable foodservice containers, maintains minimal public transparency about coating chemistry or PFAS use in their product lines. No third-party certifications (such as certification to GFSI standards or explicit PFAS-free claims) are publicly documented for this SKU. The brand has not published a commitment to phase out PFAS in food-contact articles, distinguishing it from competitors who have made such pledges in response to regulatory pressure.
How it compares in its category
Polystyrene clamshells are among the most commonly distributed takeout containers in North America and typically cost less than uncoated alternatives (cardboard, molded fiber, or PLA). Many competitors now offer or are transitioning to uncoated or PFAS-free versions; however, cost-optimized disposables like this one often retain legacy coatings to maximize shelf life and performance. Polystyrene itself is less of a concern than the applied coating; the hazard is the treatment, not the base resin.
If you buy it
Avoid using for hot or fatty foods, as heat and lipid content can increase migration of coating constituents into food. Store only at room temperature; do not freeze or microwave. Do not wash and reuse; these containers are designed for single use. If you must use them, limit contact time and choose for dry items (bakery, non-greasy solids) rather than hot prepared foods or sauces.
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 grease-resistant coating
Polystyrene clamshells marketed for grease resistance typically employ fluorinated coatings (PFOA, PFOS, GenX, or other PFAS). No disclosure from Durable Packaging on this product confirms absence; absence of claim suggests presence.
Styrene monomer leaching
Polystyrene can release trace styrene, especially under heat or with fatty foods; migration is generally low at room temperature but increases with hot greasy items. Long-term exposure to styrene is classified as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen by NTP.
BPA or BPS in additives
No public record of BPA or BPS contamination in Durable Packaging polystyrene clamshells specifically. Polystyrene is not inherently a BPA product line, but confirmation would require manufacturer testing data not publicly available.
Additive leaching (plasticizers, colorants)
Polystyrene may contain flame retardants, processing aids, or pigments not fully disclosed on product packaging. These can migrate at low levels, especially into fatty foods. The grease-resistant coating itself may shed microparticles if degraded.
Microplastic or coating particle shedding
Repeated handling, temperature cycling, or contact with abrasive foods can degrade the applied coating, releasing micro-fragments into food. No published testing for this product confirms degree of risk.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% 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 Service Containers
Compostables
Eco-Products Compostable Clear Clamshell Hinged Food
Compostable resin (PLA/PBAT blend, plant-based)
Lower concern. Compostable clamshell with PFAS-free claim and certifications.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Hefty
Food Storage Containers with Lids
Polypropylene (PP) plastic container with lids
Lower concern. Polypropylene containers unlikely to contain intentional PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Hefty
Clear Plastic Hinged Take-Out Containers
polypropylene (PP) plastic
Lower concern; no known PFAS risk from PP hinged containers.
⚠Risky category by default
More disposable food service 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.