PFAS in Takeout Containers: What Food Businesses Need to Know
- Aishwarya Iyer
- Jul 11
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 12
Written by: Aishwarya Iyer
In April 2025, New Mexico became the third U.S. state to pass legislation banning intentionally added PFAS, short for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of synthetic chemicals known for their grease and water-resistant properties, in consumer products.
Often referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are gaining notoriety for their persistence in the environment and links to serious health risks. While PFAS are used in many products, one of the most pervasive and underreported routes of human exposure is through food packaging.
Many have no idea that the wrapper around their burger or the container holding their takeout salad could be leaching harmful chemicals into their food. This ban closes an important gap in protecting public health.
The ban, which passed despite significant industry pushback, addresses a critical pathway through which these persistent chemicals enter our bodies: The food system. From the microwave popcorn bag to the container holding your favorite burger, it might be doing more harm than good. PFAS has quietly infiltrated our eating experience, creating invisible risks at every meal.
What are PFAS?
The story of PFAS in food packaging begins with a deceptively simple question: How do you keep grease from soaking through paper?
PFAS, short for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of human-made chemicals known for their unique ability to repel water, oil, and heat. Because of these properties, PFAS have been widely used since the 1950s to make everyday products more resistant to stains, grease, and moisture.
In the 1950s and 1960s, manufacturers discovered that PFAS compounds—with their remarkable ability to repel both oil and water—could transform ordinary paper into grease-resistant packaging perfect for fast food and convenience items. This made them ideal for manufacturing everything from nonstick pans to water-repellent clothing, and especially food packaging.
By the 1970s, PFAS treatments had become standard in food packaging applications, from burger wrappers and pizza boxes to bakery bags and microwave popcorn pouches. The compounds created an invisible barrier that kept grease contained and presented a clean, appealing exterior to consumers.
What wasn't apparent was that these chemicals don't stay put. Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that PFAS can migrate from packaging into food, particularly at higher temperatures and with fatty or acidic foods. A 2019 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that people who consumed more fast food had significantly higher levels of PFAS in their blood.
The food packaging industry became heavily dependent on PFAS chemistry because it solved practical problems so effectively. But the world is now realizing that this convenience comes with substantial hidden costs.
Surprising Sources of PFAS in Takeout Containers and Food Packaging
Today's PFAS exposure through food comes from multiple sources:
Fast food and takeout packaging: Wrappers, boxes, and bags designed to resist grease often are treated with PFAS coatings that can transfer to food
Plastic food containers: Many plastic or coated containers are treated with PFAS to prevent sticking and leakage, especially with hot or oily foods.
Microwave popcorn bags: The grease-resistant lining contains some of the highest PFAS concentrations found in food packaging
Disposable bowls and plates: When choosing disposable service ware, look for products certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). While some sustainable options may contain PFAS chemicals for water and grease resistance, BPI-certified products are guaranteed to be PFAS-free. These certified alternatives offer the same convenience and functionality while offering a safe alternative.
Bakery papers and cake boxes: Treated to maintain a clean, oil-free appearance, these can also contain PFAS that transfer onto your baked goods.
Related: 9"x9"x3" To-Go Container | PFAS-free, 9"x6"x3" To-Go Container | PFAS-free, 6”x6"x3" To-Go Container | PFAS-free
How PFAS in Packaging Impacts Your Health
The health consequences of consuming PFAS through food and packaging are increasingly clear. These chemicals are linked to:
Liver damage: PFAS exposure disrupts liver function, potentially leading to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A 2022 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that even low levels of PFAS exposure were associated with elevated liver enzymes.
Immune suppression: Research from Harvard published in JAMA Network Open demonstrated that higher PFAS levels were associated with reduced vaccine effectiveness in children—a finding with significant implications during public health emergencies.
Metabolic disruption: Multiple studies have linked PFAS exposure to weight gain challenges and altered cholesterol metabolism. A large-scale study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found associations between PFAS exposure and disrupted metabolism.
Hormone interference: PFAS compounds can mimic or interfere with natural hormones. Research published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism documented thyroid disruption associated with PFAS exposure.
Cancer risk: The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified one common PFAS compound (PFOA) as "possibly carcinogenic to humans," with particular concerns about kidney and testicular cancer.
The economic impact is substantial. A 2023 analysis in the journal Exposure and Health estimated that PFAS-related health effects cost the U.S. healthcare system between $5.52 billion and $62.6 billion annually—a burden largely borne by consumers and taxpayers rather than the manufacturers of these chemicals.
The PFAS crisis in food packaging serves as a reminder that what we wrap our food in is just as important as what’s inside it. The bans enacted in New Mexico and other states are bold and necessary—but they are only the beginning.
The Industry’s Mixed Response
The food industry is caught in a bind. On one hand, PFAS provides functional advantages, particularly for leak-proof, durable packaging. On the other hand, consumer trust and environmental sustainability are becoming non-negotiable brand values.
Some companies have responded proactively. Several major international fast-food chains have pledged to remove PFAS from all consumer-facing packaging by 2025. Retailers like Whole Foods have stopped selling microwave popcorn until suppliers prove that their packaging is PFAS-free. McDonald’s, Chipotle, and Panera Bread have committed to PFAS-free packaging, driven by consumer campaigns and litigation risks. China’s food delivery sector (the world’s largest) and Japan’s stringent regulations are accelerating the adoption of plant-based coatings
The global PFAS-free food packaging market hit $40.4 billion in 2024, projected to grow 6.5% annually through 2030.
Still, many companies are either slow to respond or rely on alternative fluorinated chemicals that may pose similar risks. The lack of standardized definitions and transparent labeling adds to consumer confusion.
The Way Forward: Solutions and Safer Alternatives
With growing public pressure and legislative momentum, the packaging industry is being pushed to adopt safer, more sustainable materials. Here's what the future could, and should, look like:
1. Grease-Resistant Alternatives Without PFAS
Researchers and manufacturers have been actively developing PFAS-free grease-resistant coatings that do the same job without the health risks. Some promising materials include:
Untreated molded fiber (like bagasse) – When left free of chemical coatings, molded fiber containers made from sugarcane waste can naturally handle some grease and moisture without PFAS.
Clay and silica coatings: These mineral-based barriers can provide oil and moisture resistance and are increasingly being used in bakery and deli papers.
PLA (polylactic acid): A biodegradable plastic derived from corn starch, often used in compostable food service items.
Plant-based waxes and starches: These offer natural water and oil resistance and are increasingly popular in sustainable packaging solutions.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs): Naturally occurring biopolymers produced by microbes that are compostable and can replace traditional plastics.
While these materials aren’t perfect, they are considered significantly safer than PFAS and can be part of a circular, less toxic food system.
2. Compostable & Recyclable Packaging
The rise of compostable materials, like molded fiberware made from bagasse (sugarcane fiber), is a major advancement. When manufactured without PFAS or other toxic coatings, these clamshell containers provide a practical, eco-conscious alternative to plastic and chemically treated paperboard. They’re designed to break down in industrial composting settings and are ideal for takeout containers and food service packaging.
Recyclable packaging, when free of PFAS, also offers a cleaner path. However, contaminated recycling streams can reintroduce PFAS into new products, which is why strict upstream regulation is critical.
3. Material Transparency and Certification
To help consumers and businesses make safer choices, we need better labeling and third-party certification systems. Current efforts include:
GreenScreen® Certified for Food Service Supplies
BPI Certification (Biodegradable Products Institute)
TÜV Austria and DIN CERTCO for compostable products in Europe and globally
These standards can help verify that packaging is truly PFAS-free, biodegradable, or recyclable—and not greenwashed.
What was once a miracle of modern chemistry has now become a public health challenge. While states like New Mexico are taking bold steps to ban these substances, the road to a PFAS-free future requires more than legislation. It requires corporate accountability, scientific transparency, and most importantly, consumer demand.
The next time you unwrap a sandwich or heat up a takeout container, consider this: What’s keeping the grease from leaking might also be leaching into your body.
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