Solo · Disposable Food Containers
SOLO Double Poly Paper Food Containers
Paper food containers likely treated for grease resistance; PFAS status unclear from brand.
SOLO Double Poly containers use multi-ply paper with grease-resistant treatment, standard for food packaging. Brand does not disclose PFAS status or ingredients in coating.
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
Double-layered 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
SOLO Double Poly containers are paperboard with a dual-layer polymer lining designed to resist grease and moisture without leaking. The grease-resistant coating is the critical unknown: it likely contains fluorinated compounds (PFAS) for water and oil repellency, though the company does not publicly disclose the specific chemistry. This coating prevents paper degradation during storage of fatty foods, but its composition and migration potential under use conditions remain opaque.
The brand's record and disclosure
Huhtamaki (SOLO's parent company) has not made public commitments to PFAS elimination in food-contact coatings as of available records. The company does not provide transparency on whether their grease-resistant formulations contain legacy PFAS (like PFOA) or newer alternatives. No major recalls or toxicity findings specific to these containers are documented, but the silent stance on coating chemistry is a red flag relative to competitors who have begun phasing in PFAS-free alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Most single-use paper food containers rely on some form of water-resistant coating; SOLO is not unique in this regard. Competitors like Chinet and some store brands have begun disclosing PFAS-free or reduced-PFAS formulations, making SOLO's lack of transparency a relative weakness. Uncoated paper containers and molded fiber alternatives (like bagasse) avoid the coating issue entirely but sacrifice grease resistance and durability.
If you buy it
Use for cold foods and lukewarm items only; do not fill with hot liquids, fats, or oils that accelerate coating migration. Replace containers after storage of fatty or acidic foods. Do not microwave or expose to direct flame. If PFAS exposure is a household concern, switching to uncoated paper or molded-fiber alternatives is the safest interim step pending manufacturer transparency.
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.”
Fluorinated grease-resistant coating (presumed PFAS or functional alternatives)
Double-layer poly coatings on food-contact paper almost universally rely on fluorinated compounds for water and oil repellency. SOLO does not disclose whether theirs contain legacy PFAS (PFOA, PFOS) or newer alternatives; migration into fatty foods is a documented concern with this material class.
Polymer coating degradation under heat or acidic conditions
Repeated microwaving, hot fills, or prolonged contact with acidic foods (tomatoes, citrus) can cause the inner polymer layer to crack or degrade, potentially releasing microplastic particles or coating residues into food.
Microplastic shedding from polymer layers
Double-layer polyethylene coatings can shed microscopic plastic fragments, especially after repeated use, heating, or mechanical abrasion. While SOLO containers are typically single-use, industrial or high-volume food service reuse increases this risk.
BPA or other bisphenol congeners in adhesive layers
No documented reports of BPA in SOLO containers, but some paper-polymer laminates historically used phenolic or epoxy adhesives containing bisphenols. SOLO's specific formulation is not publicly detailed.
Ink or pulp contaminants from recycled paper feedstock
If SOLO uses recycled fiber, residual printing inks or legacy chemical contaminants could migrate into food, though food-grade paper sourcing standards generally mitigate this risk.
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.
Safer alternatives in Disposable Food Containers
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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.