Butcher Paper (generic/store brands) · Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
Reynolds Kitchens Butcher Paper with Slide Cutter
Lower PFAS concern, but coating type not disclosed by brand.
Butcher paper typically uses silicone or food-grade wax coatings rather than PFAS-based grease barriers. Reynolds does not disclose coating chemistry; verify ingredient list if available.
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
paper with silicone or wax 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
Reynolds Kitchens Butcher Paper is cellulose paper coated with either silicone or food-grade wax to create a grease-resistant, non-stick surface suitable for wrapping and storing meat. The coating prevents direct contact between food and raw paper fibers, reducing the risk of paper breakdown into the food. Reynolds has not publicly disclosed whether the coating contains PFAS or which specific formulation (silicone vs. wax blend) their product uses, making full risk assessment difficult.
The brand's record and disclosure
Reynolds Kitchens (owned by Alcoa Corporation) has not issued public commitments to PFAS-free packaging in their butcher paper line as of available records. The company does not provide detailed ingredient or coating composition on packaging or their website for this product. No recalls or regulatory actions specific to Reynolds butcher paper are documented; however, the lack of transparency on coating chemistry is notably weaker than competitors who explicitly market PFAS-free alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Butcher paper is one of the lower-risk food contact paper products compared to grease-resistant takeout containers or microwave popcorn bags, which often rely on aqueous PFAS formulations. Many store-brand and premium butcher papers now market explicit PFAS-free or silicone-only coatings; Reynolds does not. The product is comparable in risk to unlabeled generic butcher papers, making it a middle-tier choice within the category rather than a leader.
If you buy it
Use for room-temperature or refrigerated storage and wrapping; do not heat the paper in ovens above 400F, as coating degradation and potential fume release increase with temperature. Keep the roll in a cool, dry place to prevent wax or silicone separation. Replace the roll if the coating visibly peels, cracks, or shows discoloration. For long-term raw meat storage (beyond 3 months), consider vacuum-seal bags as a backup to reduce oxidation.
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.”
PFAS in coating (undisclosed formulation)
Reynolds does not specify whether the grease-resistant coating is PFAS-free or contains legacy PFAS chemicals. Silicone and wax coatings can be PFAS-free, but without brand confirmation, exposure risk cannot be ruled out, particularly if the product contains aqueous PFAS additives for water resistance.
Coating degradation and migration under heat
If paper is exposed to temperatures above 350-400F, silicone or wax coatings may soften, peel, or leach into fatty foods. The product is not rated for high-temperature baking and degradation risk increases if the coating formulation is not stabilized.
Chlorine bleach residues in pulp
Standard commercial butcher paper is typically chlorine-bleached during pulping; no recalls or contamination reports are documented for Reynolds products, but unbleached or ECF (elemental chlorine-free) alternatives exist if this is a concern.
Slip agents or additives in coating
Wax-coated papers sometimes contain minor slip agents (silica, talc) to prevent sticking; Reynolds does not disclose additive details. No documented contamination is on record, but transparency is limited.
Microplastic or fiber shedding into food
When used at room or refrigerator temperature, butcher paper is stable and does not shed fibers into food. Risk increases if the coating is damaged or if the paper is creased repeatedly in contact with fatty or acidic foods.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 62% 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.