Solo · Disposable Food Containers
SOLO Double Poly Paper Food Containers 10 oz 3.8 dia x 2.7" h White Paper 1,000/Carton
Paper cup likely low-PFAS risk, but water/grease barrier coating unspecified.
Solo's Double Poly cups use polyethylene, not fluorinated polymers. However, the brand does not disclose whether the water-resistant barrier contains legacy PFOA or other PFAS. No independent testing data available.
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
Paper with polyethylene coating (Double Poly)
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 lined with two layers of polyethylene plastic coating on the interior. The polyethylene provides water and grease resistance without requiring fluorinated compounds (PFAS) in most standard formulations, though coating composition is not publicly disclosed by Solo. The paper substrate itself is inert; the primary chemical exposure pathway is migration from the polyethylene coating during contact with hot or fatty foods.
The brand's record and disclosure
Solo (Dart Container Corporation) does not publicly disclose detailed coating formulations, PFAS testing results, or food-contact safety certifications beyond standard FDA compliance claims. No recalls specifically tied to chemical migration or contamination in SOLO Double Poly containers are on record. The company has not adopted proactive transparency measures common among competitors regarding fluorinated barrier coatings.
How it compares in its category
SOLO Double Poly represents mid-market single-use food packaging. Competing products from Huhtamaki, Genpak, and others use similar polyethylene-coated paper; some brands now market PFAS-free alternatives explicitly. SOLO containers meet FDA regulations for food contact but occupy a category where chemical migration data is rarely published by manufacturers, making direct comparison difficult.
If you buy it
Use for room-temperature and warm foods (below 160F) to minimize polyethylene migration. Avoid prolonged contact with hot (above 180F), acidic, or high-fat foods; transfer to ceramics or glass for soups, gravies, or extended holding. Containers are single-use and should not be reheated in the same vessel. For institutions serving vulnerable populations (children, elderly), request documentation of PFAS testing or consider explicitly PFAS-free alternatives if available.
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.”
Polyethylene coating migration (non-PFAS)
Heat and fatty/acidic foods can promote leaching of polyethylene oligomers and additives from the inner coating layer. Risk is low under standard food service conditions (room to warm temperature, brief contact) but increases with prolonged hot food contact or reheating.
Undisclosed additives in polyethylene formulation
Polyethylene coatings often contain slip agents, antioxidants, or processing aids that are not itemized in product specifications. Solo provides no public ingredient disclosure, so specific additive profile cannot be verified.
Paper pulp contaminants (recycled fiber source)
If product contains recycled paper fiber, minor contamination from previous use (inks, coatings) is theoretically possible but regulated by FDA and no specific issues are documented for SOLO branded products.
Bacterial growth (container storage/reuse)
As designed, containers are single-use and discarded after food contact. Risk only applies if containers are inappropriately washed and reused, which voids intended use and is not a manufacturing defect.
Structural integrity and coating delamination
No published failures of the double-poly coating under normal storage or food service conditions are recorded. Containers may soften or separate if exposed to prolonged heat above recommended range.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 55% 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.