16 oz Kraft Paper Food Containers for Foodservice & Catering

This is a working-kitchen container, not a marketing prop. 16 oz compostable food containers ship in B2B case quantities, reheat in the microwave without warping, freeze without embrittling, and hold hot food up to 220°F. They replace foam in school cafeterias, replace PE-coated paperboard in catering, and replace PFAS-treated fiber in any operation under California, New York, or Washington food-packaging law.

Each case ships 500 units, with 24 cases per pallet for 12,000 units per pallet — sized for catering, school dining, hospital foodservice, hotel banquets, and operators transitioning out of foam.

Operators who switch to this SKU

• Operators displacing foam under city/state foam bans — drop-in replacement that survives hot food, unlike PE-coated paperboard.
• Operations on commercial composting programs — industrial compostable; integrates into the existing organics bin.
• Buyers with multi-state operations — single SKU compliant across the patchwork of state food-packaging laws.
• Buyers under state PFAS bans — no added PFAS — meets California AB 1200, New York Hazardous Packaging Act, Washington, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota laws.
• Sustainability-minded brands publishing impact reports — third-party-certified compostable, biobased, and PFAS-free for transparent claims.
• Procurement teams scoring USDA Biobased preference — USDA Certified Biobased Product, eligible under federal BioPreferred procurement.

Operator pain points this product solves

1. Multi-state compliance complexity

Operators running locations across 6+ states cannot stock a different SKU per jurisdiction. This product clears the strictest of the state PFAS and biobased food-packaging rules currently in force, so a single SKU works in California, New York, Washington, and any state that follows.

2. Compost contamination at the back of house

Single-material recovery — fully compostable with no plastic film, no wax, and no PFAS to separate from the fiber.

3. PFAS food-packaging laws tightening every year

California AB 1200, AB 1201, New York’s Hazardous Packaging Act, and parallel laws in Washington, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Hawaii ban intentionally added PFAS in food packaging. These do not contain added PFAS at any stage of manufacture.

4. Foam container bans without a true replacement

Polystyrene foam was the workhorse of school cafeterias and quick-service venues for decades. Foam is now banned or restricted in 11 U.S. states and over 250 municipalities. Most “alternatives” are PE-coated paperboard (still plastic, still not compostable) or thicker plastic (still landfill). A plant-based compostable container is the only fully sustainable substitute that survives hot food.

5. Grease resistance without synthetic coatings

Unbleached plant fiber is naturally oil and grease resistant — the barrier is the fiber itself, not a synthetic coating that fails after 30 minutes on the line.

What sets this product apart

• No added PFAS — meets every U.S. state PFAS food-packaging law as of 2026.
• Kraft paper construction — plant-based material chosen for this application.
• Hot food safe to 220°F — soups, stews, hot pastas, curries, casseroles, baked dishes.
• Microwave safe — reheat directly without transferring; no plastic in the food path.
• Freezer safe — does not embrittle below 0°F; meal-prep ready.
• Oil and grease resistant — barrier is the natural fiber itself, no synthetic coating.
• Composts in 2–4 months in a commercial composting facility (industrial compostable).
• Case of 500 — sized for catering, school dining, and operator-scale foodservice.
• Gluten-free and allergen-friendly material.
• Clean visual presentation for branded retail or foodservice.

Third-party certifications carried by this product

• OK compost INDUSTRIAL (TÜV AUSTRIA) — disintegrates and biodegrades in a commercial composting facility within 12 weeks.
• USDA Certified Biobased Product (U.S. Department of Agriculture) — verified renewable plant content; eligible under federal BioPreferred procurement programs.
• ASTM D-6400 (ASTM International) — meets the U.S. industry standard for industrial compostability.
• FDA Food Contact Compliant (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) — conforms to U.S. Code of Federal Regulations for direct food contact.
• NSF Certified Compostable (NSF International) — independent third-party verification of compostability claims.

Specifications

Capacity	16 oz
Material	Kraft paper
Color	Natural Fiber
Heat tolerance	Up to 220°F
Microwave / freezer	Both safe
PFAS status	No added PFAS
Compost timeframe	2–4 months (commercial); industrial compostable only
Quantity per case	500
Cases per pallet	24 (12,000 units per pallet)
Case weight	16.54 lbs
SKU	SYR-GENERIC-16-500

Questions operators ask before switching

Can I serve hot food directly in the food container?

Yes. The body is rated for hot food up to 220°F. Hot pastas, curries, soups (with a lid), stews, and baked entrées hold without warping.

Do these food containers contain any added PFAS?

Yes. No PFAS chemicals are added at any stage of manufacturing. Grease and oil resistance comes from the unbleached plant fiber itself, not from PFAS coatings. They meet PFAS-restriction laws in California, New York, Washington, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, Hawaii, and other states banning intentionally-added PFAS in food packaging.

How fast do these food containers break down in commercial composting?

In a commercial composting facility (ASTM D-6400 conditions), it breaks down in 2 to 4 months. This product is industrial compostable only — it will not meaningfully break down in a backyard compost pile.

What lid options work with this food container?

Three lid options typically fit foodservice containers in this size range: clear PLA dome lids for visible merchandising of salads, parfaits, and bakery; clear PLA flat lids for stackable delivery; and matching plant-fiber lids for opaque, plant-based compostable closure. Lids are sold separately by the case — pair by capacity and footprint.

Are these suitable for K-12 school lunch programs?

Yes. They meet PFAS-free, biobased, and compostable procurement requirements many state school systems now mandate: no added PFAS, TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost INDUSTRIAL, USDA Biobased, ASTM D-6400, NSF Certified Compostable. Documentation is available on request.

Is this food container safe to reheat in a commercial microwave?

Yes, the food container is microwave safe at reheat temperatures. Reheat without transferring to another plate. Avoid using in conventional ovens above the rated heat tolerance or under broilers.

Are these food containers stackable for storage and transport?

Yes. They stack tightly when empty (500 per case, 24 cases per pallet for 12,000 units per pallet) and stack safely with a lid when filled. The footprint fits standard foodservice slots and delivery bags.

Are these food containers compliant with state PFAS bans nationwide?

Yes. Because no PFAS is intentionally added, they comply with California AB 1200 / AB 1201, New York’s Hazardous Packaging Act, and parallel laws in Washington, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Hawaii. Lab test reports are available for B2B accounts on request.