Fabri-Kal · Disposable Food Service Containers
Fabri-Kal SideKicks Microwaveable Side Dish Bowl / Container
Microwaveable PP container; grease-resistant coating raises PFAS concern, brand silent.
Fabri-Kal SideKicks uses polypropylene with grease-resistant treatment typical of food containers. Brand provides no PFAS disclosure, leaving coating composition unclear.
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 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 SideKicks containers are polypropylene (PP), a thermoplastic rated microwave-safe by the FDA up to specified temperatures. The grease-resistant coating is the critical unknown: such coatings often contain fluorinated compounds to repel oils and water, and fluorinated coatings are a known PFAS delivery route in food contact articles. Polypropylene itself does not leach BPA or phthalates under normal use, but the coating's composition and durability under repeated heating are not publicly disclosed by the manufacturer.
The brand's record and disclosure
Fabri-Kal is a major US food-packaging supplier owned by Berry Global. The company has not published voluntary PFAS testing results, formulation transparency, or commitment to PFAS phase-out for consumer products, though it has faced scrutiny in the food service industry. No product-specific safety certifications (e.g., GRAS, BPA-free declarations, PFAS-free pledges) are advertised for the SideKicks line. This silence on a known hazard class linked to the coating type is a compliance gap, not a direct failure.
How it compares in its category
Microwave-safe PP containers without grease-resistant coatings (plain polypropylene) eliminate the fluorinated coating concern entirely. Glass or stainless steel microwaveable containers avoid all coating risks but are heavier and less leak-proof. Among coated PP products, Fabri-Kal's lack of PFAS disclosure is typical of the broader food-packaging industry; competing brands (Dart, Pactiv) use similar coating chemistry without public testing. The SideKicks line's competitive advantage is cost and convenience, not material safety differentiation.
If you buy it
Follow the manufacturer's microwave time and temperature limits strictly; overheating degrades coatings and increases migration risk. Avoid microwaving for extended periods, and do not reheat the same container repeatedly if it shows wear, cloudiness, or surface pitting. For frequent reheating, consider switching to uncoated PP or glass after 6-12 months of regular use. Hand wash in warm (not hot) water to extend coating life; dishwasher heat can accelerate coating breakdown.
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.”
Fluorinated coating (PFAS proxy hazard)
Grease-resistant coatings on PP typically contain fluorinated compounds to achieve water and oil repellency. No public testing of Fabri-Kal SideKicks for PFAS migration has been disclosed; the hazard is inferred from coating chemistry, not confirmed in this specific product.
Coating degradation and migration
Repeated microwave heating, dishwasher exposure, and acidic or fatty foods can degrade fluorinated coatings on food containers. As coatings wear, any fluorinated components present may migrate into food more readily, though Fabri-Kal has not published aging studies.
BPA and phthalates
Polypropylene itself contains neither BPA nor phthalates. Unless the grease-resistant coating formulation includes plasticizers (not typical for fluorinated coatings, but possible), this hazard class is not a concern for the base material.
Microplastics shedding
Degraded PP coating can flake or shed microparticles, especially if scratched during dishwashing or if the coating begins to separate. Visual inspection before each use can identify containers ready for replacement.
Heat-induced warping or leaching
PP is chemically stable up to manufacturer-stated microwave limits (typically under 212F). Leaching of polypropylene monomers or oligomers is not reported in published studies of PP food containers used within guidelines.
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.