Fabri-Kal · Disposable Food Service Containers
Fabri-Kal Microwavable Deli Containers
Skip until brand discloses coating composition clearly.
Fabri-Kal's deli containers use PP with a grease-resistant treatment, likely to manage food contact. Brand provides no public disclosure of coating chemistry or PFAS status.
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
Polypropylene (PP) with 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
Fabri-Kal Microwavable Deli Containers are polypropylene (PP), a thermoplastic with a melting point around 130°C (266°F), making it suitable for microwave use at moderate power levels. The grease-resistant coating is the critical unknown: such coatings often employ fluorinated compounds (PFAS or alternatives) to repel oils and aqueous liquids. Fabri-Kal has not publicly disclosed whether this coating uses PFAS, fluorine-free alternatives, or traditional wax-based treatments. This opacity prevents definitive hazard grading on the coating layer itself.
The brand's record and disclosure
Fabri-Kal (Berry Global subsidiary) maintains minimal public disclosure on grease-resistant coating chemistry across its product lines. The brand does not market itself as PFAS-free or list coating ingredients on standard product packaging or corporate sustainability statements reviewed in public sources. No major recalls for leaching or coating degradation in deli containers have been documented, and PP itself carries no known regulatory red flags. The silence on coating formulation is the primary transparency gap, particularly relevant given industry-wide PFAS migration to food contact articles.
How it compares in its category
Deli container competitors (Inline, Pactiv, local molders) use similar PP with grease barriers; few disclose coating type openly. Glass or cardboard alternatives eliminate coating risk entirely but sacrifice durability and convenience. PP containers dominate this market because they balance cost, heat tolerance, and barrier performance. Fabri-Kal's lack of transparency is typical for the category, not exceptional, but represents a category-wide compliance gap on PFAS disclosure that regulators increasingly scrutinize.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged contact with fatty or oily foods at elevated temperatures (e.g., hot deli meats immediately post-purchase). Microwave only at 50% power or defrost setting if heating is necessary; use standard microwave containers instead for reheating. Do not use in conventional ovens or steam environments, as heat can degrade both PP and coating. Replace containers if coating visibly flakes, discolors, or becomes slick; do not reuse for fatty foods once coating integrity is compromised. Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight to slow polymer aging.
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 (fluorinated barrier)
Fabri-Kal has not disclosed coating chemistry. Grease-resistant coatings commonly rely on PFAS or PFAS alternatives; without brand confirmation of fluorine-free formulation, risk cannot be ruled out, particularly for fatty food contact or heat exposure.
Coating degradation and migration over time
PP-based food contact articles can experience coating wear and microflake shedding with repeated use, heating, and abrasive cleaning. Risk of ingesting coating particles or mobilizing coating constituents increases as containers age; no published shelf-life or degradation timeline from Fabri-Kal.
Polypropylene leaching at elevated temperatures
PP itself is low-risk at normal use temperatures, but exposure to hot oils, high-power microwave heating, or prolonged heat can accelerate oligomer and plasticizer migration. Fabri-Kal containers are labeled microwavable but microwave safety depends on power level and food type; brand provides no specific heating protocol.
BPA and ortho-phthalates in PP formulation
PP does not typically require BPA or phthalates as processing aids or plasticizers, unlike polycarbonate or PVC. No known BPA or ortho-phthalate contamination reported in PP deli containers from major brands; Fabri-Kal product-specific testing data is not publicly available.
Antimony trioxide residue (catalyst from PP polymerization)
PP often uses antimony trioxide as a polymerization catalyst; residual antimony can leach into fatty foods or acidic foods, particularly when heated. Risk is low under normal use but non-zero; brand does not specify antimony levels or removal protocols.
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.