Cascades · Paper Napkins & Paper Towels
Cascades Tissue Group 1 Ply Tissue Group Select Dinner Napkins N055
Lower concern, plain tissue with no waterproofing or coating triggers typical for PFAS.
Cascades Tissue Select Dinner Napkins are plain 1-ply tissue with no stated water-resistant or grease-resistant coating. PFAS contaminants in tissue are uncommon unless the product explicitly claims water-repellent coating or stain resistance.
Shop Cascades on Amazon →Material
virgin or recycled tissue (cellulose fiber)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Cascades Select Dinner Napkins N055 are 1-ply tissue made from virgin or recycled cellulose fibers with minimal processing. Single-ply construction means thinner material and lower structural integrity than multi-ply alternatives, but the material itself is essentially processed plant fiber with no inherent chemical hazards. No waterproofing, coatings, or fluorochemical treatments are used in plain tissue napkins of this type, which eliminates entire classes of synthetic contaminants.
The brand's record and disclosure
Cascades Tissue Group is a major North American tissue manufacturer with FSC and ISO certifications on various product lines, though specific certifications for the N055 line are not publicly detailed. The company does not publicly disclose comprehensive chemical formulations or PFAS sourcing policies for napkin products. No significant product recalls or safety controversies specific to this napkin product are on record, but the brand remains silent on third-party testing or food-contact safety validation beyond standard regulatory compliance.
How it compares in its category
Single-ply dinner napkins are the baseline economy option; they perform identically to competitors in terms of material composition (all are plain cellulose tissue). Multi-ply versions offer better durability and absorbency but do not eliminate chemical risks. Napkins labeled recycled-content or unbleached may reduce some processing chemical residues, but Cascades does not market the N055 on these attributes, suggesting standard processing. This product occupies the middle ground: affordable, no known additives, but also no premium certifications or transparency.
If you buy it
Use napkins as intended for dry wiping and food contact; there is no heating risk or leaching concern as with ceramics or plastics. Store in a dry, cool environment to prevent mold or mildew in the bulk package. Single-ply durability is limited, so keep adequate supply on hand. Napkins do not require replacement or maintenance; discard after single use. No special handling precautions beyond normal food-contact paper products apply.
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.”
Chlorine residues from bleaching
Standard tissue napkins may contain trace chlorine from conventional bleaching processes. Cascades does not disclose bleaching method for this product line; no residual chlorine contamination has been documented in plain tissue napkins at retail. Food-contact safety for tissue is regulated; no recalls suggest residual risk.
Formaldehyde or diol resins (wet-strength additives)
Dinner napkins do not typically require wet-strength treatment; single-ply napkins lack the coated or resin-bonded structure that triggers formaldehyde exposure. Only premium or specialty napkins use these additives. No evidence this product contains them.
Microplastic or synthetic fiber shedding
Tissue is 100% cellulose-based; it does not shed microplastics or synthetic fibers. Degradation in composting or landfill is expected and benign. No hazard in this category.
Mold or bacterial contamination (storage)
Packaged tissue stored in humid or damp environments may develop mold growth over time. This is a storage and use factor, not a manufacturing hazard. Keep napkins in original packaging in a dry location until use.
Ink or dye migration (printed napkins)
This product number (N055) is plain white tissue with no evident printed design; ink-based food contact hazards do not apply. If napkins have printed borders or patterns, standard food-contact inks are regulated and safe; no issue is documented for Cascades tissue products.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% 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 Paper Napkins & Paper Towels
Seventh Generation
White Napkins Lunch (12x250 CT)
virgin wood pulp napkins
Lower-concern choice; unbleached/chlorine-free virgin pulp napkins carry minimal inherent PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Bamboo
Grove Co. Tree-Free Napkins
Bamboo fiber, tree-free pulp
Lower concern: bamboo napkins lack grease-resistance features that trigger PFAS use; Grove Co.
⚠Risky category by default
Seventh Generation
100% Recycled Napkins 1-Ply
100% recycled paper (virgin fiber-free)
Lower-concern choice; plain paper napkins rarely require PFAS treatments.
⚠Risky category by default
More paper napkins & paper towels 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.