Lakeland · Disposable Food Containers
12 oz Rectangle Aluminum Take Out Container with Polka Dot Paper Lid
Lower concern but unverified. Paper lid may have water-resistant coating.
Aluminum containers are generally lower PFAS risk, but paper lids often receive water-resistant coatings of unknown composition. Lakeland makes no PFAS disclosure for this product. No independent lab testing found.
The safe swap
Lakeland
Sustainables 3 Compartment Hinged Lid To Go Food Container
70/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Aluminum container with paper polka-dot lid
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 product combines food-grade aluminum (the container) with paper composite (the lid). Aluminum is inert in neutral pH foods and does not leach significantly into acidic or fatty foods at room temperature or moderate heat. The polka-dot paper lid is a multi-ply composite designed for moisture and grease resistance, which typically requires a coating, most often wax, clay, or synthetic polymer, whose exact composition Lakeland does not publicly disclose.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lakeland is a UK-based kitchenware and home products retailer with no documented safety recalls or formal chemical disclosure policies on this product line. The company does not publish ingredient lists or coating specifications for disposable food packaging. No independent third-party certifications (such as FDA compliance statements or compostability claims) are prominently advertised for this container, limiting transparency on lid safety.
How it compares in its category
Aluminum take-out containers are the industry standard for food service and are generally considered safer than plastic clamshells for hot or fatty foods, since aluminum does not risk leaching plasticizers or BPA. However, paper lids are more variable than rigid closures; the coating composition directly affects contamination risk. Comparable products from major foodservice distributors often lack detailed coating disclosure, making this product neither notably better nor worse in transparency.
If you buy it
Use these containers for foods at or below 60°C (140°F) to avoid excessive thermal stress on the paper lid. Avoid prolonged contact with acidic foods (vinegar, citrus) or high-fat foods, which may degrade the lid coating over time. Store in a cool, dry place before use; do not reuse containers repeatedly as the paper softens and loses integrity. Replace immediately if the lid shows visible wear, staining, or odor, as coating degradation may compromise barrier function.
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.”
Aluminum leaching (minor risk)
Aluminum does not leach into neutral pH or basic foods at ambient or warm temperatures. Risk is negligible for typical use (sandwiches, baked goods, cold salads) and absent in short-term contact.
Paper lid coating composition (unverified)
Lakeland does not disclose whether the polka-dot lid uses wax, clay, silicone, or synthetic polymer coating. PFAS-free claims are not made; some paper food coatings historically contained fluorinated compounds, though this is not confirmed for this product.
Microplastic or coating migration (unlikely in normal use)
Paper lids do not shed microplastics. Risk of coating particles entering food is low unless the lid is physically damaged or exposed to solvents or extreme heat.
Mold or bacterial growth in reused containers
Paper absorbs moisture and degrades over time, creating conditions for microbial growth if containers are stored damp or reused multiple times without proper cleaning and drying.
Degradation and loss of barrier integrity
Paper lids are inherently temporary; moisture and grease permeability increase significantly after 4-6 weeks of storage. No durability lifespan is specified by Lakeland, and lid coating will gradually fail with age and thermal cycling.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 62% 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
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Lower concern. Molded fiber food containers unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
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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.