A plastic container capable of assuming a loading state, an initially sealed state and an opened state comprises a lid including a lid rim and a base having a base rim. The lid rim sealingly engages with the base rim. A projecting portion has an accordiated section and a pull tab that projects outwardly from the lid. The accordiated section has at least one pleat. The projecting portion includes a frangible bridge. When the plastic food container is in the initially sealed state, the accordiated section has a first length and a first orientation relative to the projecting portion. When the container is in the initially sealed state and a first pulling force is applied to the pull tab, the frangible bridge ruptures. When the frangible bridge ruptures and before the lid is separated from the base, the container is in a tab-employed state in which the accordiated section springs outward and has a second length visibly longer than the first length.