Eckrich · Deli Meat & Cold Cuts Packaging
Eckrich Old Fashion Loaf
Lower concern; standard meat packaging with no known PFAS triggers.
Eckrich Old Fashion Loaf is a packaged meat product in conventional paper/cardboard wrapping. There is no public evidence of PFAS-containing coatings or grease-resistant treatments on this product's packaging. Eckrich makes no PFAS disclosure, but the product category and standard packaging materials do not suggest elevated PFAS risk.
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Paper/cardboard packaging, meat product
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
Eckrich Old Fashion Loaf ships in standard paper/cardboard wrapper typical of deli meat packaging. Paper and cardboard are inert food contact materials that do not leach plastic compounds (BPA, BPS, phthalates) because they contain no synthetic polymers. The primary chemical concern in paper food packaging is migration of ink or adhesive components, but regulatory oversight and industry practice have substantially reduced this risk in major brand packaging. No specific material composition concerns are documented for this product line.
The brand's record and disclosure
Eckrich (owned by Smithfield Foods) does not publish detailed packaging material safety certifications or transparent chemical disclosure statements. The brand has not faced documented recalls or public controversies specific to packaging chemical safety. As a mainstream processed meat manufacturer, Eckrich complies with FDA food contact substance regulations, but proactive communication about packaging materials is not standard practice in this sector. No independent safety certifications (e.g., FSC, compostable claims) are prominently associated with this product.
How it compares in its category
Paper-wrapped deli meats are among the lowest-risk packaging formats in the cold cuts category, as they avoid plastic-related chemical migration entirely. This contrasts with vacuum-sealed plastic film (which may contact meat lipids) or aluminum foil lined paper (which introduces potential aluminum leaching, though minimal in short-term storage). Eckrich's simple paper format is functionally equivalent to most competitors (Oscar Mayer, Boar's Head, store brands) in terms of baseline chemical safety, though some premium brands provide more transparent sourcing or material claims.
If you buy it
Keep the product refrigerated at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and consume within the printed use-by date; paper packaging does not extend shelf life beyond standard deli meat spoilage timelines. Do not heat the product in its original wrapper; transfer to a plate or container if microwaving. Paper packaging is breathable and may allow slight moisture loss; store in the coldest part of your refrigerator to slow oxidation and color change. Discard packaging after opening; do not reuse for food storage due to potential cross-contamination.
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.”
Ink migration from packaging print
FDA regulations restrict ink composition for food contact surfaces; no documented cases of harmful ink leaching from Eckrich deli meat packaging have been reported. Standard regulatory compliance makes this risk minimal but not zero.
Chlorine bleaching byproducts in paper
Conventional cardboard/paper may be bleached using chlorine, which can produce trace dioxins; however, levels in food contact paper are tightly regulated and considered safe at current exposure limits. Specific bleaching process for Eckrich packaging is not publicly disclosed.
Bacterial growth on packaging surface
Paper packaging itself does not harbor or promote pathogenic bacteria when stored correctly. Risk is from the meat product and improper refrigeration, not the packaging material.
Adhesive residues or solvents in laminated layers
If the packaging includes laminated or coated layers, adhesives may theoretically contact food; however, food-grade adhesives are regulated, and no product-specific safety issues have been documented for Eckrich.
Mineral oil or recycled fiber contaminants
Recycled paper can theoretically carry residual mineral oils or contaminants; FDA guidance permits recycled fiber in non-direct food contact layers. Eckrich does not disclose fiber sourcing, but industry standards limit direct contact with recycled material.
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.
More deli meat & cold cuts packaging 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.