Foam Hot/Cold Cups (50-Count, 12 oz)
50-count 12 oz foam cups. Dart is the most popular foam cup brand in the US.
How scores are calculated
Materials (40%): How plastic-free the product is — raw materials, construction, and coatings.
Packaging (20%): Is the product packaged in plastic? Is it recyclable?
Transparency (20%): Does the brand disclose ingredients, sourcing, and manufacturing?
Durability (20%): How long does it last? Longer-lasting products reduce plastic waste over time.
This is a rating of this specific product only — not the company. Other products from this brand may score differently.
Last updated: April 6, 2026
Food packaging is one of the most direct routes of plastic chemical exposure. BPA, BPS, phthalates, and PFAS migrate from packaging into food — especially with heat, acidity, or fat content.
Why We Rated It This Way
Dart foam cups are made from expanded polystyrene — which leaches styrene (a probable human carcinogen) into hot beverages. Banned in New York City, San Francisco, and many other cities. Paper cups or reusable cups are safer alternatives.
Chemical & Health Analysis
Each chemical of concern is broken down below — what it is, where it comes from in this product, what it does to the body, and who is most at risk.
styrene
Expanded polystyrene leaching styrene into hot beverages
Probable human carcinogen
All health claims are based on published, peer-reviewed research from the NIH, WHO, IARC, and peer-reviewed journals. This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
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