Aplin Films · Butcher & Deli Paper
Butcher Paper Rolls
Lower concern; standard food wrap with typical grease barrier coating.
Butcher paper is conventionally kraft with PE or wax coating for grease resistance. No public PFAS claims or third-party verification from Aplin Films. Waterproof treatment raises some risk but many brands avoid PFAS here.
The safe swap
Aplin Films
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its C.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
kraft paper, likely PE-coated or wax-treated for grease resistance
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Aplin Films butcher paper is kraft paper (wood pulp) with a grease-resistant coating, most likely polyethylene (PE) or food-grade wax. The coating prevents meat juices and oils from soaking through and degrading the paper's structural integrity. Kraft paper itself is minimally processed and poses no inherent chemical hazard; the coating is the functional component and the potential point of concern for migration into fatty foods.
The brand's record and disclosure
Aplin Films is a UK/global food-wrap converter with no published safety certifications or sustainability disclosures readily available in public sources. No recalls, contaminant findings, or safety controversies are on record for this product line. The brand does not publicly disclose coating composition or migration testing data, which is typical for commodity food-wrap suppliers but limits independent verification of safety claims.
How it compares in its category
Butcher paper rolls are considered a low-risk food contact application because meat is typically wrapped only temporarily (hours to days) and not heated in the paper. Alternatives such as plastic wrap (PVC, PE) carry higher microplastic and phthalate risk; parchment paper is comparable in safety but more expensive. Wax paper and butcher paper occupy a middle ground, with wax paper potentially leaching mineral oil in high-heat scenarios, whereas butcher paper is rarely exposed to direct heat.
If you buy it
Store rolls in a cool, dry location to prevent coating degradation and paper brittleness. Do not wrap hot foods (above 40 degrees C) directly in the paper for extended periods, as heat can accelerate migration of the PE or wax coating. Replace rolls every 2-3 years if stored long-term; visible discoloration, tackiness, or brittleness indicate degradation. Keep away from strong solvents or oils that are not food-grade, as these can dissolve the grease barrier prematurely.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Polyethylene (PE) or wax coating migration into fatty foods
PE and food-grade mineral wax coatings are not toxic but can migrate into high-fat meats over extended storage. Migration increases with temperature and fat contact duration; this is a quality issue rather than a health hazard if food-contact coatings meet FDA compliance, which Aplin does not publicly declare.
Bleaching residues or optical brighteners in kraft paper
Kraft paper is typically unbleached or minimally bleached. No published data suggests Aplin Films uses problematic bleaching agents, optical brighteners, or chlorine residues in this product line. Standard kraft production poses no known chemical hazard.
Microplastic shedding from coated surface
If the PE coating is damaged, abraded, or degraded over time, small PE fragments may shed into contact with meat or work surfaces. This is more likely with older rolls or rolls stored in humid conditions; not a manufacturing defect but a wear-related risk.
Ink or print contamination (if printed rolls)
Standard Aplin Films butcher paper rolls are unprinted on the food-contact side. If branded or printed variants exist, food-contact inks should be FDA-approved; no specific ink safety incidents are on record for this brand.
Mold or bacterial growth during storage
Kraft paper can absorb moisture and harbor mold or bacterial spores if stored in humid conditions (above 60% relative humidity). This is an environmental storage issue, not a product defect, but can compromise food safety if rolls are used to wrap meat in contaminated state.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 58% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Butcher & Deli Paper
Aplin Films
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
Natural bleached kraft paper, no specified coating
Lower concern. Uncoated butcher paper unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Safeseal
IDL Packaging PFAS-Free Grease-Proof Paper Sheets
grease-proof paper with unspecified water/grease-resistant coating
Claim unverified; grease-proof coatings historically use PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Sappi Fine Papers
IDL Packaging PFAS-Free Grease-Proof Paper Sheets
paper with grease-resistant coating
Brand claims PFAS-free. No independent verification found. Proceed with caution.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More butcher & deli paper grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.