4 oz Hot Cups Built for Real Foodservice Throughput
This is a working-kitchen container, not a marketing prop. 4 oz PLA-lined compostable hot cups 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 1000 units, with 60 cases per pallet for 60,000 units per pallet — sized for catering, school dining, hospital foodservice, hotel banquets, and operators transitioning out of foam.
Operators who switch to this SKU
- Ghost kitchens and delivery brands — 30-minute travel without bottom failure on saucy plates.
- Hospital and senior-living trayed meals — reheat-in-place for soft, saucy, or moisture-rich dishes.
- Dressed salads and grain bowls — the lining contains dressing migration during transport.
- Saucy hot menu items — pasta in sauce, curries, gravy-rich plates, BBQ, stew — the PLA film stops soak-through.
- Catering with mixed wet and dry components — single tray for entrée plus side without compromise.
- Frozen meal-prep with sauces — freezer-safe lining survives cold storage and thaw.
Operator pain points this product solves
1. 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.
2. Soak-through on saucy or wet menu items
The PLA film on the inside surface stops liquid migration so the bottom stays dry through service, transport, and reheat — for sauced pasta, curries, BBQ, dressed salads, and stew.
3. Compost contamination at the back of house
Both the fiber body and the PLA lining are certified industrial compostable — the container composts as a single unit, no separation required at end of life.
4. Procurement asking for documentation
Buyers with sustainability mandates need certificates: USDA Biobased, ASTM D-6400, FDA food contact, NSF Certified Compostable, TÜV AUSTRIA. All applicable certifications are listed below; lab/cert documents are available on request for B2B accounts.
5. 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.
What sets this product apart
- No added PFAS — meets every U.S. state PFAS food-packaging law as of 2026.
- PLA bioplastic lining — plant-based film bonded to the food contact surface for grease and liquid barrier.
- 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 at reheat temperatures — reheat without transferring.
- Freezer safe — does not embrittle below 0°F; meal-prep ready.
- Liquid and grease resistant — PLA film barrier on top of naturally oil-resistant fiber.
- Composts in 2–4 months in a commercial composting facility (industrial compostable).
- Case of 1000 — 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 | 4 oz |
|---|---|
| Material | Kraft paper, with PLA bioplastic lining |
| Color | Natural Fiber |
| Heat tolerance | Up to 220°F |
| Microwave / freezer | Both safe |
| PFAS status | No added PFAS |
| Lining | PLA bioplastic film |
| Compost timeframe | 2–4 months (commercial); industrial compostable only |
| Quantity per case | 1000 |
| Cases per pallet | 60 (60,000 units per pallet) |
| Case weight | 9.4 lbs |
| SKU | SYR-HC-4L-1000 |
Questions operators ask before switching
Can I microwave food in the hot cup?
Yes, the hot cup 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.
What is the case and pallet configuration for these hot cups?
Yes. They stack tightly when empty (1000 per case, 60 cases per pallet for 60,000 units per pallet) and stack safely with a lid when filled. The footprint fits standard foodservice slots and delivery bags.
Will the PLA lining break down in a backyard compost pile?
No. PLA bioplastic requires the higher temperatures and microbial activity of a commercial composting facility (ASTM D-6400 / TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost INDUSTRIAL conditions). It will not break down meaningfully in a backyard compost pile. For home-compostable options, choose the unlined fiber version.
Does this hot cup hold up under saucy or steaming hot dishes?
Yes. The body is rated for hot food up to 220°F. The PLA lining is stable up to that temperature in food contact. Hot pastas, curries, soups (with a lid), stews, and baked entrées hold without warping.
Do these meet California AB 1200 and New York PFAS food packaging regulations?
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.
What is the composting timeline for these hot cups?
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.
Are these hot cups really PFAS-free?
Yes. No PFAS chemicals are added at any stage of manufacturing. The grease and liquid barrier is the PLA bioplastic film plus naturally oil-resistant fiber, not PFAS chemistry. 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. Lab test reports are available on request for B2B accounts.
Do these hot cups qualify for school district biobased and PFAS-free procurement requirements?
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.








