Butcher Paper (generic/store brands) · Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
Mr. Bar-B-Q Butcher Paper Roll
Standard butcher paper likely contains PFOA-based grease barriers. Verify brand certification.
Most butcher papers use fluorinated coatings for grease resistance, a known PFAS source. No public disclosure from this generic brand. Look for PFAS-free certifications if concerned.
The safe swap
Sam's Club
Member's Mark Heavy Duty Food Service Foil
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 moisture/grease barrier 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
Mr. Bar-B-Q butcher paper is kraft paper (wood pulp) coated with a synthetic grease and moisture barrier to prevent food oils from soaking through. This barrier coating is the critical safety point: generic butcher papers typically use fluorinated compounds (PFOA or related chemistry) for water and grease repellency. The paper itself is food-safe; the coating chemistry is where hazard concentrates.
The brand's record and disclosure
Mr. Bar-B-Q is a generic/store-brand product line with no publicly available material safety disclosures or PFAS certification claims on record. No recalls specific to this paper have been documented. The brand does not publish supplier specifications or coating composition details, making verification of coating type impossible without direct inquiry to the manufacturer.
How it compares in its category
Most conventional butcher papers (including store brands) use the same fluorinated barrier chemistry as Mr. Bar-B-Q, making this product typical rather than outlier. PFAS-free certified alternatives exist (marked explicitly by certification bodies like FDA approved or PFAS-free labeling) but cost more and are less common in general retail. Uncoated kraft paper avoids this hazard entirely but fails at grease containment.
If you buy it
Use this paper for room-temperature or mild-heat wrapping (deli counter, short-term refrigerated storage). Avoid direct contact with hot food above 160F or prolonged heat exposure, which may increase migration of coating residues. For long-term storage (over 2 weeks) or freezer use, decant into glass or food-grade plastic. If concerned about PFAS, request product certification from the retailer or switch to labeled PFAS-free brands.
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.”
Fluorinated grease-barrier coating (PFOA-class compounds)
This product's grease resistance almost certainly derives from fluorinated chemistry; migration risk increases with heat and acid (citrus, vinegar, marinades). Mr. Bar-B-Q offers no certification that contradicts this assumption.
Coating migration into fatty/oily foods
Grease barrier coatings have finite migration rates into high-fat foods (meats, cheeses, oils). Risk is proportional to heat, duration, and fat content; room-temperature short-term use poses minimal exposure.
Thermal breakdown of coating at high heat
Direct exposure to open flame, oven racks above 200F, or smoker grates may degrade the barrier coating and release volatile residues. Kraft paper itself is safe; the coating is the concern.
Ink or print residues (if printed rolls used)
Mr. Bar-B-Q rolls typically use soy-based or mineral-oil inks on the exterior; direct food contact with printed side should be avoided as standard practice, though no toxicity records exist for this brand's ink.
Chlorine bleaching residues in paper pulp
Kraft paper is typically chlorine-free or elemental-chlorine-free per EPA standards; residual dioxins are not a documented concern in modern food-contact butcher paper.
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 Butcher & Deli Paper
Sam's Club
Member's Mark Heavy Duty Food Service Foil
Aluminum foil
Lower concern. Plain aluminum foil typically PFAS-free.
⚠Risky category by default
Sam's Club
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
unbleached natural kraft paper
Lower concern. Uncoated paper unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Butcher Paper (generic/store brands)
Bryco Goods Pink Kraft Butcher Paper Roll 18 Inch x 175 Feet
kraft paper, uncoated or minimal coating
Lower concern; plain kraft paper has minimal PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
More grease-resistant 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.