Freezer Paper by Store Brand (Kroger/Safeway/etc) · Butcher & Deli Paper
Butcher Freezer Paper
Moderate concern. Grease-resistant coating warrants PFAS verification.
Standard butcher freezer paper typically uses polyethylene or wax coatings for moisture and grease resistance. Manufacturers rarely disclose PFAS use; contact brand directly for coating specifics.
The safe swap
Aplin Films
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
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 polyethylene and 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
Butcher freezer paper consists of kraft paper laminated with a polyethylene layer and typically a wax or synthetic coating on one side to repel moisture and grease. The polyethylene backing prevents freezer burn and ice crystal formation on meat. The grease-resistant surface coating is the primary source of uncertainty regarding PFAS content, as many commercial freezer papers use per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances to achieve water and oil repellency, though some manufacturers have begun substituting safer alternatives.
The brand's record and disclosure
Major store brands (Kroger, Safeway, etc.) typically do not publish detailed ingredient or coating composition for freezer paper. None of the major retailers maintain public PFAS reduction commitments specific to their freezer paper lines, and direct inquiries to customer service rarely yield substantive answers about fluorinated coatings. This silence is common across the category and does not indicate contamination, but reflects low consumer transparency in commodity food packaging.
How it compares in its category
Store-brand freezer paper is functionally equivalent to name-brand alternatives (Reynolds, Kirkland) and sits at the lower cost end with identical material architecture. Most competitors in this category use similar polyethylene plus wax or coating systems; few publicly disclose PFAS status. Butcher paper without coating (unbleached kraft) and vacuum-seal bags are alternatives with lower PFAS risk but trade off ease of use and moisture barrier performance.
If you buy it
Use freezer paper only in its intended application: wrapping raw meat, poultry, and fish for freezer storage at 0°F or below. Do not allow the coated side to contact food during cooking or heating above 140°F, as polymer degradation or coating leaching may occur. Replace rolls annually or immediately if the coating shows cracks, separation, or visible wear. Before purchase, contact the store brand customer service to request written confirmation of PFAS-free status in the coating; if unavailable, consider alternatives.
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 grease-resistant coating
Fluorinated coatings on freezer paper are a known PFAS application in food contact materials. No public testing or recall data exists for store-brand freezer paper, but the grease-resistant finish is the likely vector if PFAS is present. This hazard is addressed separately in PFAS grading (25/100 = moderate concern).
Polyethylene microplastics from coating degradation
If the polyethylene or wax coating fractures during freezer storage or handling, small particles may transfer to meat surfaces. Risk is low if paper remains intact; inspect before use and replace damaged rolls.
Wax leaching at elevated temperatures
Paraffin or synthetic wax used in some freezer papers can migrate into fatty foods if the paper contacts food during cooking or high-heat thawing. Use coated side outward (away from food contact) and do not use for oven wrapping above 140°F.
Adhesive residue or ink from printed side
Store-brand freezer paper typically uses food-safe inks and minimal adhesives on the printed (outer) side. No recalls or contamination reports are on record for major retailers' freezer paper lines.
Bacterial or mold growth if moisture trapped during storage
Freezer paper itself does not harbor pathogenic growth when used correctly at freezing temperatures. Risk arises only from improper thawing or cross-contamination during wrapping, not from the product material.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 55% 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 & Deli Paper
Aplin Films
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
Natural bleached kraft paper, no specified coating
Lower concern. Uncoated butcher paper unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Safeseal
IDL Packaging PFAS-Free Grease-Proof Paper Sheets
grease-proof paper with unspecified water/grease-resistant coating
Claim unverified; grease-proof coatings historically use PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Sappi Fine Papers
IDL Packaging PFAS-Free Grease-Proof Paper Sheets
paper with grease-resistant coating
Brand claims PFAS-free. No independent verification found. Proceed with caution.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More 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.