Heat sealed, ovenable food cartons and lids

A paperboard food distribution carton, wherein said paperboard carton is consisting essentially of:

• a paperboard substrate having a first side with a calendered coating of particulate minerals which provides an outer surface suitable for the printing of graphics and a second side supporting a first continuous coating of a dried, water-based, copolymer emulsion which provides an inner surface suitable for direct food contact, the improvement wherein said dried, water-based, copolymer emulsion further provides vapor barrier properties and allows a heat sealing of a paperboard lid to said food distribution vessel in a covering position over a corresponding vessel fill opening;
• wherein said dried water-based emulsion is further characterized as being mass stable below 400.degree. F., can be tacked bonded at 250.degree. F. or greater, has chloroform-soluble extractives not exceeding 0.5 mg/in..sup.2 of food contact surface when exposed to a food simulating solvent at 150.degree. F. for two hours, is flexible enough to withstand conventional scoring in the cross direction with a 2 point male rule and a 0.062" channel while sustaining a crack length ratio of no greater than 0.1, provides slip and block resistance when stacked under a load of 0.5 lbs/sq. in. or greater, is applied to said second side at a coat weight of 6 to 12 dry pounds per 3000 sq. ft. and includes insoluble particles having a specific gravity of between 0.8 and 3.5.