Genpak · Disposable Food Containers
Genpak AD12 | 12oz Clear PET Hinged Deli Container | Recyclable, Made with up to 30% Post-Consumer Content, Made in The
Lower concern. PET is inherently PFAS-free; no treatment mentioned.
Genpak AD12 is clear PET plastic without disclosed coatings or treatments. PET itself does not require PFAS processing, making this lower concern for PFAS migration.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
PET plastic (polyethylene terephthalate)
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 PET (polyethylene terephthalate), the same plastic used in beverage bottles and marked with recycling code 1. PET is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic chosen for food packaging because it resists degradation at room temperature and does not require chemical treatment to achieve barrier properties. The 30% post-consumer content means recycled PET has been blended in; this does not meaningfully alter safety compared to virgin PET, though it requires reprocessing that theoretically could introduce minor contaminants if source material was poorly sorted. PET's chemical structure does not include known endocrine disruptors like BPA (which is in polycarbonate, code 7) or phthalates (which are in PVC, code 3).
The brand's record and disclosure
Genpak is a major North American foodservice packaging manufacturer owned by Huhtamaki; they supply institutional and commercial food operations rather than direct consumer retail. The company has not published comprehensive third-party testing or safety certifications for this specific product line beyond FDA compliance claims. No recalls or public health incidents specific to Genpak AD12 containers have been documented. Genpak does not publicly disclose post-consumer recycled content sourcing standards or chemical screening protocols for incoming recycled resin.
How it compares in its category
PET hinged deli containers are the industry standard for cold takeout foods, salads, and bakery items because PET is inert at ambient and refrigerated temperatures and transparent. Glass or stainless steel alternatives are heavier and more expensive; paperboard hinged containers may contain fluorinated grease-resistant coatings (a potential PFAS vector, though this product is plastic). Polypropylene (code 5) hinged containers are similarly safe but slightly more heat-tolerant. The inclusion of recycled content is a environmental plus and does not create new safety concerns versus virgin PET.
If you buy it
Do not microwave or expose to heat above 65-70°C (150-160°F), as PET softens and may leach trace acetaldehyde (a byproduct of PET synthesis, not a major concern at food-contact temperatures). Use for cold or ambient foods only; do not pour hot liquids into it. Recycle after use as marked (code 1) or discard; do not reuse for non-food storage or as a permanent kitchen container. Replace if the hinge cracks, the lid warps, or the plastic becomes cloudy or brittle, as these are signs of degradation.
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.”
Acetaldehyde leaching (PET degradation product)
PET can release trace acetaldehyde, especially when heated or exposed to sunlight over months. Risk is negligible for typical single-use deli containers at room temperature; primary concern is long-term storage of liquids or reuse.
Antimony migration (PET catalyst residue)
Antimony trioxide is used as a catalyst in PET synthesis and may remain in resin at 100-300 ppm. Migration into food is minimal at room temperature and below FDA action limits; no established harm at food-contact levels, but recycled content can increase variability in residual catalyst concentration if source material is not screened.
Microplastics from physical degradation
PET containers can shed microparticles if the surface is scratched, the hinge breaks, or the plastic is flexed repeatedly. This is a physical (not chemical) hazard; risk is low in single-use food service but increases if container is reused or damaged.
BPA or BPS contamination (unlikely but not verified)
PET is chemically distinct from polycarbonate (which contains BPA) and does not require BPA as a component. However, post-consumer recycled PET could theoretically contain trace contamination from sorting errors or prior uses; Genpak does not publicly disclose screening protocols for incoming recycled resin.
Dye or pigment heavy metals (if printed/colored)
This product is described as clear with no mention of printing or colored coating. If any labeling or text is printed on the container, FDA regulations limit heavy metals in food-contact inks, but Genpak does not disclose ink composition for this SKU.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 75% 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.
More disposable food 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.