Solo · Disposable Food Containers
Solo 8" X 8"x 3" Clear Plastic Hinged Food Take-out Container
Likely contains PFAS for grease resistance. Skip if concerned.
Solo hinged food containers typically use polystyrene with grease-resistant coating, commonly PFAS-based. Brand makes no PFAS disclosure. Limited public testing available for this specific product line.
The safe swap
Lakeland
Sustainables 3 Compartment Hinged Lid To Go Food Container
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its C.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polystyrene plastic 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
Solo's hinged food containers are injection-molded polystyrene (PS, plastic #6), a rigid petroleum-derived plastic chosen for clarity, low cost, and moisture barrier properties. The grease-resistant coating applied to the interior surfaces is the primary concern: polystyrene alone absorbs oils poorly, so manufacturers typically add fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or silicone-based coatings. Polystyrene itself is stable at room temperature but degrades under heat, mechanical stress, and prolonged contact with fatty or acidic foods, potentially leaching styrene monomers.
The brand's record and disclosure
Solo (owned by Huhtamaki) has not made public statements specifically addressing PFAS use in food-contact coatings, nor has it published material composition details or third-party testing for this product line. The company has faced criticism from environmental groups regarding single-use plastic products and sustainability, but no major safety recalls or toxicology findings have been documented for this specific container model. Brand transparency on chemical composition remains limited compared to competitors who have begun phasing PFAS alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Polystyrene hinged clamshell takeout containers are among the most common in food service; they are cheaper than paperboard alternatives and provide better visibility of contents. Compared to uncoated polystyrene, this product's grease-resistant coating extends usability to fatty foods but introduces PFAS or other coating chemicals. Paper-based takeout containers avoid polystyrene and its coatings but often use the same PFAS-based grease barriers, making true comparison complex; compostable alternatives (PLA, bagasse) exist but may not perform as well for greasy items.
If you buy it
Keep contents at room temperature or refrigerated; do not microwave or use with hot foods above 160F (71C), as polystyrene softens and styrene leaching accelerates. Minimize storage time for fatty, acidic (vinegar, citrus), or alcohol-containing foods, which promote migration of coating and monomer leachates. Do not reuse for non-food storage. For everyday cold takeout (salads, deli items, baked goods), risk from polystyrene itself is low; PFAS exposure is the primary concern if the product contains fluorinated coatings, which remains unconfirmed for this specific SKU.
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.”
Styrene monomer leaching
Polystyrene can release small amounts of residual styrene monomers, especially when stressed thermally or by fatty/acidic food contact. Acute exposure from a single food container is minimal, but chronic use warrants caution.
Coating degradation and migration
Grease-resistant coatings on polystyrene food containers degrade over time and with fat exposure, releasing coating particles and chemical residues into food. The specific composition of Solo's coating is undisclosed, preventing full hazard characterization.
Microplastics when heated or damaged
If microwaved or exposed to heat above design limits, polystyrene fragments or fine particles can break off into food. Mechanical damage (cracks, scratching) during use accelerates this risk.
BPA and bisphenol analogs in base plastic
Polystyrene itself does not inherently contain BPA; however, additives used during molding (such as plasticizers or UV stabilizers) are not publicly disclosed by Solo for this product.
PFAS in grease-resistant coating
See separate PFAS assessment (grade 25/100). Fluorinated coatings on food-contact polystyrene are industry standard for grease resistance; Solo has not disclosed alternative coatings or testing.
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 Containers
Lakeland
Sustainables 3 Compartment Hinged Lid To Go Food Container
Molded fiber/pulp (plant-based)
Lower concern. Molded fiber food containers unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Lakeland
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.