In-N-Out Burger · Fast-Casual Food Packaging
Vintage In-n-out Burger Authentic California Burger Paper Bag
Skip unless In-N-Out discloses coating ingredients.
In-N-Out food packaging uses grease-resistant treatment typical of fast-casual burger chains, often PFAS-based. Brand does not publicly disclose coating chemistry or PFAS status.
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Material
paper with 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
This is standard food-service paper stock treated with a grease-resistant coating to prevent oil and moisture penetration. The coating chemistry is not publicly disclosed by In-N-Out Burger. Most fast-food burger bags use fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or newer alternatives like polyhydroxyalkanoates or wax blends for this barrier function. The specific formulation determines whether migration of coating chemicals into food is a meaningful concern.
The brand's record and disclosure
In-N-Out Burger has not publicly disclosed the specific grease-resistant coating used in their packaging or committed to PFAS-free alternatives. The chain has no known third-party certifications (such as Green Seal or equivalent) for food-packaging safety. No recalls or formal safety findings specific to In-N-Out burger bags are documented in public safety databases.
How it compares in its category
Fast-food paper burger bags are among the most common sources of food-contact PFAS exposure in the US diet, according to studies cited by FDA and public health agencies. In-N-Out's disclosure stance is typical for the quick-service restaurant industry; competitors like McDonald's and Burger King have similarly avoided public specification of coating ingredients. Some regional chains and fast-casual brands now use certified PFAS-free coatings or compostable alternatives, making this product less transparent than leading practice.
If you buy it
Use the bag for its intended single-use purpose only; do not reuse for food storage or prolonged contact with moist or fatty foods. Do not heat food in the bag (oven, microwave, or direct flame). Discard immediately after food consumption rather than storing items inside. If coating integrity is visibly compromised (peeling, cracking, or discoloration), dispose of the bag rather than exposing food to damaged coating material.
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
Typical for fast-food burger bags; In-N-Out has not confirmed or denied use. Migration risk is highest with fatty, acidic, or warm foods in brief contact (normal burger consumption). Not included in separate PFAS grade per instructions.
Coating migration into food
Any non-disclosed synthetic coating may shed particles or leach into fatty burger contents, especially if oil permeates through degraded areas. Risk remains low for single-use, room-temperature contact.
Ink or dye toxicity
Paper bags intended for food use are typically printed with food-grade inks. No specific safety violations or heavy-metal findings are documented for In-N-Out bags.
Mineral oil in recycled fiber
Some food-service papers use recycled stock containing mineral oil contaminants. No published testing of In-N-Out bag feedstock is available to assess this risk.
Bacterial or mold growth if stored damp
Paper is hygroscopic and can support microbial growth if bags are kept moist or humid after use. This is a storage and handling issue, not a manufacturing defect.
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.