Butcher Paper Co. · Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper
Butcher BBQ Pink Butcher Paper
Pink butcher paper likely uses PFOA/PFAS coating; brand silent on content.
Butcher paper's grease-resistant coating typically contains PFAS to achieve water and oil resistance. No public PFAS disclosure or testing from brand available.
The safe swap
Butcher Paper Co.
ULINE Butcher Paper Sheets
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 with water/grease-resistant coating
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
Butcher BBQ Pink Butcher Paper is kraft paper (wood pulp) with a water and grease-resistant coating applied to the pink side. The coating prevents meat juices and smoke from penetrating the paper during smoking or storage. The specific coating chemistry is not disclosed by the brand; industry standard for pink butcher paper historically involves fluorochemical treatments (PFAS compounds like PFOA or PFOS), though some manufacturers have migrated to non-fluorinated alternatives. The uncoated (kraft) side contacts the meat directly.
The brand's record and disclosure
Butcher Paper Co. does not publicly disclose the specific coating chemistry, fluorochemical content, or certifications on this product. No formal PFAS-free certification or third-party testing results are available on record. The brand has not issued statements addressing PFAS content or phasing timelines, which is consistent with a segment of the food-contact paper industry that has been slower to adopt transparency post-regulatory scrutiny. Absence of disclosure does not confirm PFAS presence, but it prevents informed selection.
How it compares in its category
Pink butcher paper is a specialized product with limited direct competitors. Alternatives include uncoated kraft paper (no water resistance, not suitable for long smoking or wet storage), silicone-coated paper (inert, PFAS-free, but more expensive and less traditional), and parchment paper (limited to oven temps, not designed for smoking). Some competitors (e.g., If You Care, Anatural) market PFAS-free or explicitly fluorochemical-free butcher paper, though verification through independent testing is limited. This product occupies the conventional, low-transparency segment.
If you buy it
Use this paper for short-term contact with raw or cooked meat in smoking or cold storage only; do not use for extended hot-holding or direct contact with wet acidic foods. Replace the paper if it becomes visibly saturated, torn, or compromised, as coating degradation can allow direct contact. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent coating breakdown. If PFAS exposure is a priority concern, consider switching to a brand with explicit PFAS-free certification and third-party testing documentation.
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.”
Fluorochemical coating (PFAS family)
Pink butcher paper commonly uses water/grease-resistant coatings based on PFOA, PFOS, or related PFAS compounds for water and grease repellency. This product does not disclose coating type, so PFAS presence cannot be ruled out and is statistically likely for this product category and age. PFAS coating migration into fatty foods (meats) is a documented exposure pathway in food-contact paper literat
Coating degradation and microplastics shedding
Kraft-based coatings degrade over time, especially under humidity, heat, and mechanical stress (folding, creasing during use). Visible flaking or powder residue can indicate polymer breakdown; shed particles may transfer to food contact surfaces. No specific data on this brand's coating durability is available, but kraft-based coatings are generally less durable than plastic-laminated alternatives
Chlorine residues from paper bleaching
Commercial kraft paper may be chlorine-bleached during manufacture, though most modern butcher paper uses oxygen or hydrogen peroxide bleaching. No specific chlorine-free certification is listed for this product. Migration of chlorine residues into fatty foods is not a documented concern for this product category under normal use.
Ink or dye transfer from printed branding
This product's pink color is typically achieved through dye addition to the pulp or coating layer, not surface printing. If printed text or branding is present on the contact side, food-safe ink compliance would apply, but no information on inks is publicly available. Direct meat contact with the pink (coated) side is standard, and ink transfer risk is low if dyes are pulp-integrated.
Lignin and wood extractives in unbleached kraft
Kraft paper contains residual lignin and tannins that can impart color and mild odor. Under normal short-term food contact, migration of these compounds into meat is negligible. No specific contaminant testing results for this brand are available.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% 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 Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper
Butcher Paper Co.
ULINE Butcher Paper Sheets
kraft paper, bleached or unbleached
Lower concern, but manufacturer silent on PFAS status.
⚠Risky category by default
Butcher Paper Co.
Pospaper Butcher Paper Sheets
bleached kraft paper
Lower concern. Standard butcher paper without grease-resistant coating.
⚠Risky category by default
Paper Mart
Stock Your Home Deli Paper Sheets 12 Inch Checkered Wrapping Paper Grease Resistant for Concession Fast Food Liners
Paper with unspecified grease-resistant coating
Skip until coating ingredients disclosed.
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More grease-resistant deli & butcher 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.