Footprint · Food Packaging
Matter Compostable Food Storage Container 5ct
Lower-concern choice; compostable fiber packaging avoids traditional PFAS coatings found in conventional containers.
Footprint's compostable food containers are made from plant-based fiber without synthetic Teflon-family coating coatings, aligning with their PFAS-free positioning. Compostable certification provides third-party verification of material composition.
Brand says: “Footprint explicitly markets containers as PFAS-free and compostable, positioning against traditional food packaging coatings.”
Material
Plant-based fiber pulp (compostable)
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The brand states the product is PFAS-free (self-declared).
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Matter containers are molded from plant-based fiber pulp (typically sugarcane bagasse or similar agricultural residue), avoiding the plastic polymers and fluorinated coatings common in conventional food storage. This material composition eliminates the chemical architecture that normally requires PFAS water and grease barriers in competing products. Plant-fiber packaging is designed to break down in industrial composting environments within 90-180 days, reducing the persistent chemical exposure pathway of durable plastics.
The brand's record and disclosure
Footprint is a certified B Corp with public material sourcing standards and third-party compostability certifications (BPI, ASTM D6868). The company has published detailed product ingredient disclosures and maintains transparent supply chain documentation. No material controversies, recalls, or substantiated chemical safety violations have been reported for this product line as of public record.
How it compares in its category
Plant-fiber containers like this avoid the PFAS-heavy Teflon-family coating coatings found in most bleached paperboard and conventional plastic food storage. Compared to uncoated fiber containers, they retain structural integrity without relying on per- or polyfluorinated chemistry. They occupy a middle-ground cost and practical performance tier between fully compostable single-use alternatives and durable reusable plastics.
If you buy it
These containers are designed for cold to ambient-temperature foods; avoid prolonged microwave use or contact with hot liquids (above 50°C/122°F), as fiber softening accelerates at elevated temperatures and can compromise structural integrity. Store in cool, dry conditions to prevent mold growth in fiber interstices before use. After disposal, confirm access to industrial composting facilities in your area, as home composting may not reach temperatures necessary for reliable degradation. Do not reuse containers beyond their designed lifespan (typically 6-12 months of standard use).
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.”
Bacterial/fungal growth in cellulose matrix
Plant-based fiber is hygroscopic and can harbor microbial growth if stored in humid conditions before use or if containers are not dried after washing. This is a storage/maintenance issue rather than an inherent chemical hazard.
Coating leachables (proprietary barriers)
Footprint does not disclose use of traditional synthetic binders or barrier coatings for these containers; no public reports of leaching from the plant-fiber matrix itself exist. Any water or grease resistance appears to rely on fiber density and surface treatment rather than fluorinated chemistry.
Formaldehyde in processing resins
No evidence of urea-formaldehyde or phenol-formaldehyde binders in Footprint plant-fiber containers. Industrial pulp molding typically does not require these resins for structural integrity in this application.
Microplastic generation or fiber shedding
Fiber containers may shed small cellulose fragments during handling or extended food contact, particularly if abraded or degraded. Risk is low but present; fragments are biodegradable and not persistent microplastics in the synthetic sense.
Ink/printing chemical transfer
Footprint uses food-contact-safe inks on branded containers; no substantiated reports of dye or pigment migration into stored food. Standard due diligence applies: avoid contact of printed surfaces with food when possible.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 82% 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.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Food Packaging
World Centric
Compostable Fiber Compost-A-Pak Containers
Fiber-based (wood pulp/molded fiber), compostable coating
Lower-concern choice; compostable fiber with documented PFAS-free commitments, though independent lab confirmation on this specific SKU is absent.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Vegware
Compostable Microflute Takeaway Box
Plant-based fiber (sugarcane bagasse microflute); water-based coatings
Lower-concern choice; plant-based compostable packaging with transparent PFAS-free positioning, though lab test availability is limited.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Loliware
Compostable Hinged Deli Containers
Polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic, plant-based coatings
Lower PFAS concern; compostable bioplastic design avoids legacy fluorine coatings typical in food packaging.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More food packaging 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.