Deli King · Butcher Paper & Meat Wrapping
Reynolds Kitchens Butcher Paper with Slide Cutter
Butcher paper often uses PFAS for grease resistance. No disclosure available.
Butcher paper products commonly contain fluorinated coatings for water and grease resistance, a typical source of PFAS. Reynolds/Deli King provides no public information on PFAS status.
The safe swap
Compactor
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
70/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
kraft paper with 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
Reynolds Kitchens Butcher Paper is kraft paper (wood pulp) with a grease-resistant coating applied to one side, allowing it to withstand contact with fatty meats and oils without deteriorating. The coating chemistry is not disclosed on packaging or in public Reynolds documentation. Kraft paper itself is minimally processed compared to bleached papers, but the coating formulation is the critical unknown, modern grease barriers often rely on fluorochemicals (PFAS) or wax/silicone alternatives. The slide-cutter feature is a mechanical convenience with no safety implication.
The brand's record and disclosure
Reynolds Kitchens (owned by Alcoa) is a major food-packaging manufacturer but has made no public statement about PFAS presence or absence in butcher paper specifically. The company does not list PFAS-free certification on product packaging or corporate sustainability pages for this item. Reynolds has faced no major recalls or documented controversies tied to butcher paper chemistry. The silent stance on grease-resistant coating chemistry is typical for the category but limits consumer choice.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial butcher papers (Reynolds, Freezer Paper, store brands) use similar kraft-based formulations with undisclosed coatings. Uncoated kraft paper and wax-paper alternatives exist but are less grease-resistant and less convenient for retail/foodservice use. Certified PFAS-free butcher paper is not yet mainstream in grocery retail; specialty brands or butcher-sourced products may offer transparency or wax-based coatings. Reynolds dominates by brand recognition and availability, not by superior safety disclosure.
If you buy it
Use butcher paper as intended: wrapping raw or cooked meat for freezer storage or deli counter use. Do not heat or cook food directly on the coated side in an oven or on stovetop, as high heat may degrade or release coating components. Replace rolls every 12-24 months even if not fully used, as kraft can absorb moisture and weaken. If PFAS concern is primary, rotate to uncoated kraft, certified PFAS-free brands, or beeswax-paper wraps for occasional use.
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 (PFAS) in grease-resistant coating
Butcher paper commonly uses PFAS-based coatings for grease resistance, but Reynolds does not disclose the formulation. PFAS can migrate into fatty foods in direct contact with the coated surface, though risk is generally low at room temperature or freezer storage.
Ink or dye migration from printed surface
Reynolds butcher paper typically uses food-safe inks on the uncoated (back) side. No documented migration issues or recalls have been reported for this brand or product category in standard use.
Thermal degradation of coating at high heat
If butcher paper is used to line oven racks or placed directly on hot surfaces, the grease-resistant coating may degrade and release volatile compounds or particles. Kraft paper itself can char or smoke at temperatures above 400F, and coating stability at high heat is not published by Reynolds.
Microplastics or particulate shedding
Butcher paper is mechanically robust and not designed to break down during typical storage or food contact. Shedding of coating particulates into food is not a documented hazard in this category under normal use conditions.
Bleach residues or processing chemicals in kraft base
Reynolds butcher paper uses unbleached or minimally bleached kraft, which reduces residual chlorine or chlorate compounds compared to white paper products. No recalls or testing data suggest significant residual chemical risk from the paper substrate itself.
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 Butcher Paper & Meat Wrapping
Compactor
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
natural kraft butcher paper, no coating specified
Lower concern. Uncoated kraft paper unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Compactor
Staples Butcher Paper Roll
cellulose paper, uncoated or minimally treated
Lower concern. Butcher paper is typically uncoated cellulose.
⚠Risky category by default
Deli King
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
cellulose paper, uncoated
Lower concern. Natural butcher paper has no known PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
More butcher paper & meat wrapping 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.