In-N-Out Burger · Fast-Casual Food Packaging
IN -N -OUT BURGER Paper hats. 11" X 3". Fast Food Fun INNOUT
Typical fast-food hat; unknown water-repellent coating chemistry poses uncertain risk.
Paper hats are commonly treated with water and grease-resistant coatings, which often contain PFAS. In-N-Out has not disclosed coating composition or PFAS status, making this a likely but unconfirmed exposure source.
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Material
paper with water/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
In-N-Out paper hats are made from bleached or unbleached paper substrate coated with a water and grease-resistant finish, typical of fast-food disposables. The coating prevents oil and moisture penetration during handling and storage but its chemical composition (likely fluorinated or silicone-based) is not publicly disclosed by the brand. Paper itself poses minimal toxicity; the coating's identity is the unknown variable. These hats contact skin and hair, not food, reducing ingestion pathways.
The brand's record and disclosure
In-N-Out Burger does not publicly disclose the specific chemistry of packaging coatings or commit to PFAS-free alternatives on their website or packaging. No independent safety recalls or testing of their paper hats for coating hazards are on record. The brand has not issued statements addressing PFAS "forever chemicals" (PFAS) in food-contact packaging, leaving end users without transparency.
How it compares in its category
Fast-food paper hats fall into the low-risk subcategory of food-packaging because they are single-use, brief-contact, and non-absorbent compared to paper plates or wrapping in direct food contact. Most major QSR chains use similar coated-paper designs with undisclosed water-resistance treatments. Uncoated paper hats exist but offer no barrier against sweat and grease, making them impractical; coating use is industry standard.
If you buy it
Wear the hat for brief periods during meals or events; it is not intended for prolonged skin contact. Do not ingest or chew the material. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat sources; high temperatures could degrade the coating and potentially volatilize components. Dispose after single use. If you have sensitivity to fluorinated compounds or PFAS exposure concerns, request an uncoated alternative or contact In-N-Out directly for coating transparency.
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 water/grease-resistant coating
Standard fast-food paper hats almost always use fluorinated water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finishes, but In-N-Out does not disclose chemistry. Skin contact and potential inhalation of degradation products during storage or wear represent uncertain but low-probability exposure routes.
Bleach residue in paper substrate
Bleached paper is standard in food-contact disposables and is FDA-cleared; residual chlorine or chlorine dioxide is negligible in finished product. No reports of bleach-related harm from fast-food paper hats.
Coating degradation under heat or moisture
Prolonged exposure to sweat, humidity, or heat (e.g., worn during cooking or in hot environments) may accelerate breakdown of the water-resistant coating, potentially releasing coating components. Risk is low for brief casual wear.
Ink or print additives on printed surfaces
In-N-Out hat printing uses standard food-contact approved inks; no recalls or toxicity reports for branded paper hats. Inks are typically soy-based or mineral oil-based and migrate minimally to skin.
Formaldehyde in paper sizing or coating binders
Paper sizing and some coating binders may contain trace formaldehyde, but levels in finished food-contact paper are tightly regulated by FDA and do not typically off-gas into air or transfer to skin during brief wear.
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.