In-N-Out Burger · Fast-Casual Food Packaging
Rare In N Out Burger Bags
High risk; PFAS common in food packaging coatings. Brand silent on composition.
In-N-Out burger bags use grease-resistant coatings typical in fast-food packaging, often containing PFAS or related chemicals. Brand provides no public disclosure on coating composition or PFAS avoidance.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
paper with likely 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 burger bags are paper-based with a grease-resistant coating applied to the interior surface. This coating prevents oil and moisture from soaking through and compromising structural integrity during food contact. The specific chemical identity of this coating is not publicly disclosed by the brand, but fluorinated compounds (PFOA, PFOS, or their replacements) are the industry standard for food-contact paper coatings because they resist both water and oil simultaneously. Non-fluorinated alternatives exist but are less effective at barrier performance under real-world conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
In-N-Out Burger does not publicly disclose the chemical composition of its packaging materials or provide certification of PFAS-free status. The company has not published statements on phasing out PFAS or transitioning to alternative coatings. No recalls or safety violations specific to this packaging are on record. This silence on a known industry concern represents a significant transparency gap relative to competitors and regulatory expectations.
How it compares in its category
Most fast-food paper packaging in the United States relies on fluorinated coatings for performance. In-N-Out's bags are typical of this standard, not exceptional in either direction. Some brands (e.g., chains adopting PFAS-free coatings or paper alternatives) have begun disclosing safer compositions, making In-N-Out's silence more conspicuous. The actual PFAS burden from a single bag is small, but frequent exposure across a diet heavy in takeout accumulates.
If you buy it
Use the bag for its intended purpose without modification. Do not heat food inside the bag in an oven or microwave, as elevated temperature can increase coating migration into fatty foods. Do not reuse the bag for storage or other purposes. Dispose of it in regular trash after use. If PFAS exposure is a personal health concern, minimize frequency of takeout meals in fluorinated paper packaging or request alternative wrapping (e.g., foil, cardboard sleeves) when possible.
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 migration into food (reported in category)
Fluorinated coatings on paper food packaging are a documented source of PFAS dietary exposure, particularly with fatty or acidic foods. In-N-Out's silence on coating chemistry prevents verification of safer alternatives.
BPA/BPS in inks or adhesives (none_known)
No reports of BPA or BPS contamination specific to In-N-Out bags. Modern food-contact inks are typically regulated, but composition is not publicly certified.
Microplastic or synthetic polymer shedding (none_known)
Paper-based bags do not shed microplastics under normal use. Coating integrity degradation is not a documented issue at standard storage and handling temperatures.
Coating degradation and leachate increase with heat or prolonged contact (possible)
Reheating food in the bag or storing greasy food for extended periods may accelerate coating breakdown and increase migration of coating components into food, though this scenario is outside normal intended use.
Heavy metals in printing inks (none_known)
No recalls or testing data linking In-N-Out bags to heavy metal contamination from inks. Food-contact printing is federally regulated, but independent verification is unavailable.
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.