Solo · Disposable Food Containers
Solo H4165-j8000 16 oz. Flexstyle Double Poly Paper Containers - Symphony Design (500/Carton)
Paper food containers likely use PFAS-based grease coatings. Avoid if concerned.
Solo does not disclose PFAS status for this product. Double poly paper typically treated with fluorochemical grease barriers, a known PFAS source in food packaging.
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 poly 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's Flexstyle containers are paper-based with a double polyethylene (PE) coating plus a grease-resistant barrier layer. That barrier is the concern: double poly paper containers marketed as grease-resistant typically rely on fluorochemical coatings (PFAS-based) to repel oils and moisture, since PE alone is not sufficiently grease-proof. Solo does not publicly disclose the chemistry of this coating on the product or brand level.
The brand's record and disclosure
Solo (owned by Huhtamaki) has not made public commitments to phasing PFAS from food-service packaging, nor does it disclose coating composition for products like this container. The company has faced no major recalls or documented chemical-safety controversies on record for this specific product line. However, the silence on grease-coating ingredients is itself a transparency gap common in the food-packaging industry.
How it compares in its category
This product is a middle-tier disposable option. PFAS-free paper containers exist but are less common and typically cost more. Compostable or PFAS-free alternatives from specialty suppliers (e.g., Footprint, Notpla) are available but not in mainstream retail. Standard Solo containers are cheaper and more widely distributed than premium alternatives, but that advantage comes with unresolved chemical questions.
If you buy it
Use these containers for cold or room-temperature foods only; heat (microwave, oven) may accelerate leaching from the coating and PE. Store food no longer than necessary before serving. For frequent or high-volume use (commercial kitchens, schools), consider requesting supplier documentation on coating chemistry or switching to certified PFAS-free options. Replace containers if coating shows visible wear, peeling, or discoloration.
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-based grease-resistant coating
Double poly paper containers with grease resistance almost certainly use fluorochemical (PFAS) barrier coatings. Solo does not disclose this; the hazard is not confirmed by the company but is standard industry practice for this material class.
Polyethylene (PE) microplastic shedding when heated
The PE coating can degrade and shed microscopic particles if exposed to high heat or fatty/acidic foods at elevated temperature. Risk is low for cold/room-temp use but increases in hot-food or microwave scenarios.
Coating degradation and unknown leachables
The grease-resistant barrier layer is not specified by Solo in public materials. Degradation over time or when exposed to oils, alcohol, or heat may release small amounts of coating components into food; identity and safety of these components are not disclosed.
Recycling and end-of-life contamination
PFAS-coated paper containers contaminate recycling streams and are difficult to compost due to the plastic and fluorochemical layers. Disposal contributes to environmental PFAS accumulation rather than safe end-of-life management.
None known: BPA/BPS, heavy metals in paper
Paper food containers do not typically contain BPA or added heavy metals. No recalls or documented issues on record for Solo's paper containers in these categories.
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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⚠Risky category by default
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⚠Risky category by default
Rubbermaid
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polypropylene plastic containers with lids
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⚠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.