Genpak · Disposable Food Containers
Genpak Clear Hinged Deli Container
Skip until Genpak discloses PFAS treatment status clearly.
Genpak's deli containers are polypropylene with grease-resistant coatings, likely treated for moisture barrier. Genpak has not publicly disclosed PFAS use or testing, creating moderate uncertainty about fluorinated additives.
The safe swap
Lakeland
Sustainables 3 Compartment Hinged Lid To Go Food Container
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its C.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polypropylene plastic, 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
Genpak Clear Hinged Deli Containers are polypropylene (PP, #5 plastic), which is considered food-safe by FDA for short-term contact and resists moisture and grease well. The grease-resistant coating is the material of concern: polypropylene alone does not naturally repel oil, so manufacturers apply surface treatments, often fluorinated compounds (PFAS-based), to achieve this property. Genpak has not publicly disclosed whether this coating contains PFAS, which is the primary unknowable risk factor here.
The brand's record and disclosure
Genpak is a major U.S. foodservice packaging manufacturer but has maintained silence on PFAS content in its coated products despite industry-wide scrutiny since 2020. The company has not published a PFAS elimination timeline or third-party certification (such as PFAS-free verification). No major product recalls or safety violations specific to this container line are on public record, but the lack of transparency on coating chemistry is a red flag in a category where PFAS alternatives exist.
How it compares in its category
Hinged deli containers are ubiquitous in foodservice and retail delis. Competitors like Pactiv and Huhtamaki have begun offering PFAS-free or clearly labeled low-fluorine options; Genpak's silence puts it behind the transparency curve. For the same end-use (short-term cold deli storage), uncoated PP or molded fiber containers avoid the coating question entirely, though they offer less grease barrier. If you need the grease resistance, this product is functional but less defensible than transparent alternatives.
If you buy it
Use only for cold to cool foods (below 140°F / 60°C); polypropylene softens above this range and any surface treatment will degrade faster. Do not microwave or fill with hot deli items. Replace containers after 6-12 months of regular use or if the interior shows cloudiness, cracks, or visible wear, as coating degradation may increase leaching. Store away from prolonged sunlight and fats/oils when not in active use to extend container life. If purchasing for home use, consider requesting PFAS-free alternatives from your deli counter.
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
Polypropylene deli containers almost always require fluorinated surface treatment for grease resistance. Genpak's refusal to disclose whether the coating is PFAS-based or PFAS-free means exposure risk cannot be ruled out, particularly with fatty foods or if containers are heated.
Polypropylene leaching (BPA/BPS/phthalates)
PP plastic itself does not contain BPA, BPS, or phthalates in standard formulations. Genpak's PP containers are not known to leach these compounds under normal cold storage use.
Coating degradation over time
Hinged deli containers show visible wear and cloudiness after repeated washing or extended use. Degraded coatings may increase migration of coating components into fatty deli foods; replacement every 6-12 months is prudent.
Heat exposure and polypropylene softening
PP softens and deforms above 140°F (60°C). Using these containers for hot deli items, microwaving, or storing near heat will accelerate plastic degradation and potentially increase leaching of both the base polymer and any surface coating components.
Microplastics from physical wear
Repeated opening, closing, and stacking of hinged containers can cause mechanical stress and micro-fracturing. While full microplastic release is uncommon under normal use, fragments from worn hinges or cracked areas may occasionally transfer to food, especially greasy or wet items.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 55% 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 Containers
Lakeland
Sustainables 3 Compartment Hinged Lid To Go Food Container
Molded fiber/pulp (plant-based)
Lower concern. Molded fiber food containers unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Lakeland
Hefty Food Service Containers Rectangle 9 3/4" x 5" x 3 1/4" 125 ct
Polypropylene (disposable food containers)
Lower concern, but brand discloses nothing about PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Rubbermaid
TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers 10 Piece Set
polypropylene plastic containers with lids
Lower concern; basic plastic food storage with no known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
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.