In-N-Out Burger · Fast-Casual Food Packaging
Avant Grub Retro Grease Proof Food Wrapper Combo
Grease-resistant food wrapper, PFAS risk unknown, skip if concerned.
In-N-Out does not disclose PFAS or coating specifics for this wrapper. Greaseproof food packaging commonly uses fluorinated coatings; no public confirmation either way here.
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Material
greaseproof paper/coated wrapper
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
In-N-Out's grease-proof wrappers are typically coated paper, designed to resist oil and moisture during food storage and transport. The coating chemistry is proprietary and not publicly disclosed; grease-resistant coatings historically relied on PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") to repel both water and oil simultaneously, though non-PFAS alternatives now exist. The wrapper itself poses minimal leaching risk during cold or room-temperature contact with food, but heat and acidic/oily foods can accelerate migration of coating compounds.
The brand's record and disclosure
In-N-Out Burger has not publicly disclosed the specific chemistry of its food wrappers or confirmed whether PFAS-free alternatives are used. The company maintains minimal transparency on food-packaging safety compared to larger QSR chains. No recalls or safety violations tied to In-N-Out wrappers are on record, but the absence of disclosure means potential PFAS exposure cannot be ruled out. The brand's silence on this issue contrasts with competitors like McDonald's and Chipotle, which have committed to phasing PFAS from food-contact packaging.
How it compares in its category
Grease-proof paper wrappers are industry standard for quick-service restaurants and remain one of the most common food-contact materials for wrapped items. Many larger chains are transitioning to PFAS-free coatings (e.g., polylactic acid, clay-based, or synthetic latex barriers), but smaller or regional chains like In-N-Out often lag in adoption or transparency. Uncoated paper or wax-lined wrappers offer lower chemical-exposure risk but provide inferior grease protection; aluminum foil eliminates coating risks but adds aluminum leaching potential.
If you buy it
Remove food from the wrapper promptly after purchase to minimize contact time, especially if the food is still warm or oily. Do not use the wrapper to reheat food in a microwave or conventional oven, as heat accelerates leaching of any coating compounds. If PFAS exposure is a personal concern, request burgers and fries in alternative containers (e.g., cardboard boxes) or limit frequency of consumption. Disposal is standard recycling; wrapper is not intended for reuse.
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.”
Fluorochemical coatings (PFAS-adjacent)
Grease-resistant coatings on this wrapper likely contain fluorochemicals, but the manufacturer has not disclosed whether they are PFAS or PFAS-free alternatives. Migration risk is low at room temperature but increases with heat and fatty foods.
Coating degradation and migration
Repeated or prolonged contact between wrapper and warm, oily food (burger, fries) can cause microscopic amounts of coating to transfer to food. This is not a documented health event for In-N-Out wrappers specifically, but is a known mechanism of exposure for coated-paper food packaging.
Ink residues from printing
In-N-Out wrappers are printed with brand logos and text. Food-contact inks are regulated and typically non-toxic, but localized ink contact with food should be minimized. No recalls or safety issues on record for this product.
Recycling contamination (food residue)
Greasy wrappers contaminate paper recycling streams and reduce recycling value. This is an environmental issue rather than a direct consumer safety hazard, but affects end-of-life safety and sustainability.
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.
More fast-casual 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.