Fabri-Kal · Disposable Food Service Containers
Fabri-Kal Greenware 9" x 6" 1-Compartment Plant Fiber Blend Hinged Container 9509821
Plant fiber hinged container, lower PFAS concern. No known treatment.
Fabri-Kal Greenware uses molded plant fiber, an inherently PFAS-free material. No waterproofing or grease-resistant coating typical of PFAS-risk foodware. Brand does not disclose PFAS status.
Shop Fabri-Kal on Amazon →Material
plant fiber blend (molded fiber)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
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 container is molded from plant fiber blend, typically a mix of sugarcane bagasse, wood pulp, or similar agricultural residues pressed and formed into shape. Plant fiber food packaging avoids the polymer chemistry (BPA, phthalates, polycarbonate) common in rigid plastic takeout containers. The hinged closure is usually the same fiber material or a paper-based composite, minimizing plastic contact points with food.
The brand's record and disclosure
Fabri-Kal is a long-established US food service packaging manufacturer with no major product safety recalls on record for their Greenware line. The company does not prominently publish chemical safety certifications or third-party testing for heavy metals or residual processing chemicals in their plant fiber products. They do not claim BPA-free or PFAS-free status in marketing, which reflects the typical silence of the molded fiber industry on these issues.
How it compares in its category
Molded fiber hinged containers sit between single-use plastic clamshells (higher BPA/phthalate risk) and compostable PLA plastic (similar leaching unknowns). They avoid the heat-triggered leaching risk of some plastic alternatives and have no fluorochemical surface treatment in published specs. Primary trade-off is structural integrity loss when saturated with liquids or high heat, not chemical safety.
If you buy it
Use for dry or room-temperature foods; avoid prolonged contact with hot liquids or oils, as fiber degradation may accelerate. Do not microwave or use in ovens above 350F. Inspect hinges for separation or fiber breakdown before each use, particularly if container has been wet or stored damp. Replace if material flakes or loses structural integrity. Compost after use if local systems accept plant fiber, otherwise recycle if local facility accepts molded fiber.
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.”
Residual processing chemicals in plant fiber
Plant fiber containers may retain bleaching agents, sizing chemicals, or adhesives used in forming, but no specific contamination has been documented in Fabri-Kal Greenware products. Published safety data for molded fiber food contact is sparse.
Fiber degradation and microparticle shedding
Molded fiber breaks down when wet, heated, or flexed repeatedly. Fragments could shed into food, especially liquids or high-moisture items. This is a structural failure mode rather than chemical toxicity, but warrants inspection before use.
Ink or printing residues on exterior
The 9509821 model number suggests commercial branding or labeling; exterior inks or dyes are not documented as a concern for Fabri-Kal containers, and direct food contact is interior-only, minimizing risk.
Heavy metals in recycled fiber feedstock
If molded fiber is made from recycled paper or agricultural waste, trace heavy metals (lead, cadmium) from printing inks or soil could theoretically accumulate. No recalls or testing data exist for Fabri-Kal Greenware; feedstock sourcing is not publicly disclosed.
Mold or bacterial growth if stored damp
Plant fiber is porous and cellulose-based, creating an environment for mold or bacterial colonization if stored in humid conditions. This is a hygiene risk, not a chemical hazard, but storage matters for safety.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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
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.