Pactiv Evergreen · Disposable Food Service Containers
Pactiv D186CLMW R3J Pizza Slice Clamshell Triangular Shape Paperboard
Pizza clamshell coating unknown; grease-resistant coatings often contain PFAS.
Pactiv does not disclose coating chemistry for this food-contact clamshell. Grease-resistant paperboard typically relies on fluorinated water and oil repellents. No public lab data or PFAS-free claims available.
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
Paperboard with unspecified 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 a molded paperboard clamshell (the D186CLMW model is triangular pizza-slice shaped) with a grease-resistant coating applied to the interior. Paperboard base itself is inert and food-safe. The coating is the concern: Pactiv does not publicly disclose whether it uses PFAS-free or PFAS-based grease barriers on this specific SKU. Many pizza clamshells in the industry use fluorochemical coatings (PFAS) because they repel both water and oils effectively; some manufacturers have switched to non-fluorinated alternatives, but product-level transparency is rare.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pactiv Evergreen is a major foodservice packaging supplier but has not published a comprehensive PFAS elimination timeline or product-specific coating disclosures. The company has not voluntarily certified its pizza clamshells as PFAS-free, nor issued public recalls or advisories related to PFAS in this line. Industry pressure on PFAS in food contact has increased since 2020, but Pactiv's response remains opaque at the product level. This silence is noteworthy given regulatory scrutiny in states like California and Vermont.
How it compares in its category
Pizza clamshells are a high-risk category for PFAS because grease resistance is functionally critical and PFAS chemistry delivers it cheaply. Competing brands (e.g., Huhtamaki, Dart) similarly do not always disclose coating type. A minority of manufacturers (e.g., some compostable clamshell makers) explicitly market PFAS-free barriers, but these are typically more expensive and less widely available in foodservice. Pactiv's lack of commitment places it in the mainstream but also means you cannot confidently assume safety without direct contact with the supplier.
If you buy it
Use for short-term room-temperature or warm (not hot) food storage only. Do not microwave or heat the clamshell; transfer pizza to ceramic or glass before reheating. Replace clamshells immediately after use rather than storing them with residual grease, as prolonged contact may increase coating leaching. If you use these regularly (e.g., in a pizzeria or frequent takeout consumer), request Pactiv's product safety data sheet (PDS) or contact their customer service to ask whether this SKU's coating is PFAS-free; silence after inquiry is a signal to switch brands.
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
Pactiv has not disclosed the coating chemistry for this clamshell. Grease-resistant paperboard coatings often contain PFAS (perfluorooctanoate, PFOA, or related compounds); no public testing or certification data exists for this specific model. Risk is elevated due to direct food contact and lack of brand transparency.
Coating migration to fatty foods
Pizza is high-fat; grease-resistant coatings can leach into oily foods, especially if clamshell is exposed to heat or prolonged contact. If the coating contains PFAS or other fluorochemicals, migration risk increases with temperature and duration of storage.
Microplastics or coating breakdown
Paperboard clamshells do not typically shed microplastics as plastic containers do. However, if the coating degrades (scratches, creasing, exposure to high heat), particles may fragment into food; no specific degradation data is available for this model.
Ink or adhesive leachables
Printing inks and structural adhesives in molded paperboard can theoretically leach; however, foodservice-grade clamshells are subject to FDA food-contact substance rules, and Pactiv's formulations are presumed compliant. No adverse reports have been documented for this product line.
BPA or BPS in coating resins
Modern paperboard coatings do not typically use BPA/BPS; fluorochemical or wax-based barriers are standard. No evidence suggests Pactiv uses bisphenol compounds in this clamshell.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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.