Pactiv Evergreen · Disposable Food Service Containers
Pactiv 1 Pint Clear Vented Clamshell Food Container
Likely lower concern, but grease-resistant coating not disclosed. Monitor updates.
Pactiv does not disclose PFAS or coating chemistry for this food container. Grease-resistant food packaging often contains PFAS; transparent disclosure absent here raises caution.
The safe swap
Compostables
Eco-Products Compostable Clear Clamshell Hinged Food
100/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
clear plastic clamshell, likely polystyrene or PET 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
Pactiv's 1-pint vented clamshells are typically molded from polystyrene (PS #6) or PET (#1), both approved food-contact plastics in the US. The "grease-resistant" finish likely involves a fluorocarbon or silicone coating to prevent oils from degrading the container. Vented design allows steam escape during cold storage or transport, reducing condensation but also increasing surface area for potential leaching if temperature or mechanical stress compromises the coating.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pactiv Evergreen does not publicly disclose material sourcing, coating chemistry, or PFAS testing results for this product line. The company has faced no major food-safety recalls tied to this specific container format. Industry pressure on grease-resistant coatings has grown since 2020, but Pactiv has not issued statements on reformulation; silence suggests either continued use of legacy fluorinated additives or lack of marketing priority around replacement.
How it compares in its category
This clamshell is a cost-competitive baseline product; uncoated polystyrene and PET alternatives exist but are less grease-resistant and prone to oil penetration and discoloration. Compostable fiber clamshells (sugarcane, wood pulp) avoid plastic leaching but sacrifice visibility and durability. Glass or stainless steel containers eliminate polymer risk entirely but are impractical for single-use foodservice. For short-term cold food storage, this product performs at industry standard with no exceptional hazard profile.
If you buy it
Use only for cold or room-temperature foods; do not microwave or fill with hot liquids, as heat can compromise the coating and accelerate any leaching. Inspect for cracks, cloudiness, or coating wear before use. Do not reuse for non-food storage. Vents can harbor food debris, so rinse briefly before recycling. Replace if discolored or stiff (sign of polymer degradation). Safe for one-time use in foodservice; repeated home reuse is not recommended.
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.”
BPA/BPS in polystyrene or PET resin
FDA-compliant virgin polystyrene and PET resins used in food contact should be BPA-free under current US regulations. No public recalls or testing data indicate BPA presence in Pactiv clamshells, but independent verification is not available.
Phthalates in plastic formulation
Polystyrene and PET for food service are not plasticized and do not require phthalates. No evidence of phthalate use in this product class.
Microplastics from coating degradation when heated
If clamshell is microwaved or exposed to hot food (above 60C), the grease-resistant coating may flake or degrade, potentially releasing fine plastic particles. Risk is low if container remains cool but increases with repeated thermal stress.
Fluorinated compound leaching from grease-resistant coating
Coating chemistry is undisclosed; if it contains legacy PFOA-era fluorocarbons or newer alternatives (PFPEs), leaching into fatty foods is possible under prolonged contact. Risk is low for brief cold-food contact but not ruled out without independent testing.
Odor transfer and polymer off-gassing
Polystyrene is known for retaining food odors and can release styrene monomers if damaged or heated. Risk is minimal for single-use cold-food storage but may be noticeable if reused or exposed to solvents.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 52% 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 Service Containers
Compostables
Eco-Products Compostable Clear Clamshell Hinged Food
Compostable resin (PLA/PBAT blend, plant-based)
Lower concern. Compostable clamshell with PFAS-free claim and certifications.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Hefty
Food Storage Containers with Lids
Polypropylene (PP) plastic container with lids
Lower concern. Polypropylene containers unlikely to contain intentional PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Hefty
Clear Plastic Hinged Take-Out Containers
polypropylene (PP) plastic
Lower concern; no known PFAS risk from PP hinged containers.
⚠Risky category by default
More disposable food service 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.