25/ 100
F
OverallF17/100
Expert Grill Butcher Paper

Hardin Simmons · Grease-Resistant Butcher Paper

Expert Grill Butcher Paper

F · High PFAS

Butcher paper likely lower concern, but no PFAS disclosure from brand.

Verdict: SkipKraft butcher paper with water-resistant coating poses minimal established chemical hazards; no PFAS disclosure a concern but product category low-risk.

Butcher paper is typically coated kraft with wax or silicone for grease resistance. Brand does not disclose PFAS or water-repellent chemistry; direct manufacturer contact recommended for assurance.

The safe swap

Gordon Paper Butcher Paper

Hardin Simmons

Gordon Paper Butcher Paper

70/100 safety

C

Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.

Material

kraft paper with water-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.

Hurts the grade

Category baseline

food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.

Hurts the grade

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement about PFAS in this product.

Hurts the grade

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Expert Grill Butcher Paper is kraft paper (wood pulp) with a water-resistant coating, typically wax or synthetic polymer-based, designed for moisture and grease containment during meat storage and cooking. Kraft paper itself is food-safe and chemically inert when unbleached or minimally bleached. The coating is the critical component: it prevents meat juices from leaching through, but its composition determines whether migration of coating chemicals into food is plausible. Hardin Simmons does not publicly disclose the coating formulation, which limits independent assessment of additives like mineral oil, synthetic waxes, or slip agents.

The brand's record and disclosure

Hardin Simmons is a regional meat-supply and specialty foods brand with limited public safety certifications or chemical disclosure statements on this product. No major recalls, regulatory warnings, or third-party certifications (BPA-free, food-contact safe claims) appear on record for this specific butcher paper. The brand's silence on PFAS and coating composition is typical of smaller regional suppliers but falls short of transparency standards set by larger food packaging manufacturers. No evidence of FDA violations or consumer complaints specific to this product has been documented.

How it compares in its category

Butcher paper is inherently one of the lowest-chemical-hazard food packaging options compared to plastic wraps, plastic-lined papers, or coated boards. Most major butcher paper brands (Peach, Systèmes, Reynolds) similarly avoid detailed coating disclosures, making Hardin Simmons unremarkable in this respect. Uncoated parchment paper and silicone baking paper are alternatives with similar or slightly lower migration risk, though less grease-resistant. The kraft paper category carries virtually no legacy of BPA, phthalates, or other synthetic contaminants that plague plastic food packaging.

If you buy it

Use this product as intended: wrapping raw or cooked meat before storage or smoking, not for prolonged contact with acidic or high-fat foods at elevated temperatures. Avoid direct flame or very high-heat direct contact (above 400°F); the coating may soften or degrade, though no toxic fume risk from coatings at normal grilling temps. Replace the paper if torn, saturated, or visibly degraded. Store rolls in a cool, dry place; moisture can compromise the coating seal and allow bacterial growth on wrapped meat.

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.”

Possible

Coating migration (non-PFAS)

Water-resistant coating composition is undisclosed; mineral oil, synthetic waxes, or slip agents could migrate at low levels into fatty meat products, though food-contact status suggests regulatory compliance. Risk is minimal at room temperature; increases slightly under heat or prolonged storage.

None known

Bleach residues or processing chemicals

Kraft paper is typically unbleached or minimally bleached; no evidence of formaldehyde resins, chlorine, or heavy metals in pulp processing. Industry standard food-grade kraft avoids strong chemical processing.

Possible

Bacterial contamination if paper degraded

If coating is compromised (torn, waterlogged), paper loses its barrier function and meat contact becomes uncontrolled; risk is handling error, not chemical hazard. Replace visibly damaged paper immediately.

None known

Heavy metals in coating pigments

No record of titanium dioxide, lead, or cadmium use in standard butcher paper coatings. Hardin Simmons provides no data, but category hazard is low for this application.

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 Paper

Gordon Paper Butcher Paper

Hardin Simmons

Gordon Paper Butcher Paper

kraft paper, bleached sulfate pulp

C
D
PFASAll
C · Moderate1 flag

Lower concern; uncoated butcher paper has minimal PFAS risk.

Risky category by default

Durable Packaging White Butcher Paper Roll

Hardin Simmons

Durable Packaging White Butcher Paper Roll

bleached kraft paper, likely uncoated

C
D
PFASAll
C · Moderate1 flag

Lower concern. Standard butcher paper unlikely to contain PFAS.

Risky category by default

Butcher Paper King Kraft Paper 36" x 500 ft

Deli King

Butcher Paper King Kraft Paper 36" x 500 ft

Kraft paper, unbleached cellulose

C
F
PFASAll
C · Moderate2 flags

Lower concern. Kraft paper is inherently PFAS-free by composition.

Risky category by default

More grease-resistant butcher 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.