Huhtamaki · Grease-Resistant Butcher Paper
ULINE Butcher Paper Roll
Butcher paper typically uses grease barriers; PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.
Butcher paper requires grease resistance, often achieved with wax or silicone coatings. Huhtamaki does not disclose PFAS presence or absence on this product.
The safe swap
Hardin Simmons
Gordon Paper Butcher Paper
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 grease-resistant coating (likely wax or silicone-based)
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
Uline's butcher paper (supplied by Huhtamaki) is cellulose-based paper with a grease-resistant coating applied to one or both sides. The coating is typically wax, silicone, or a polymer blend designed to repel oils and moisture during storage and transport of raw meat. The paper itself is inert, but the coating chemistry and migration risk depend on formulation and temperature exposure. Without Huhtamaki's material disclosure, the exact barrier composition cannot be verified.
The brand's record and disclosure
Huhtamaki is a major global food-packaging manufacturer but does not publicly disclose detailed coating chemistry for its butcher paper products on consumer-facing channels. The company has not faced major food-safety recalls linked to butcher paper composition. Huhtamaki is silent on PFAS use in this product line, which is standard industry opacity for grease-resistant coatings. No independent certifications (e.g., compostability, BPA-free) are prominently marketed for this specific roll.
How it compares in its category
Butcher paper is one of the safest food-contact papers available because direct food contact is brief and the coating stays on the paper rather than migrating into food under normal use. Compared to plastic cling film or foil, it poses lower chemical-migration risk for dry or cold applications. However, its grease barrier typically requires either wax or synthetic polymers; some manufacturers use PFAS-based Teflon-family coating to achieve this, though wax alternatives exist. Uline does not specify which approach Huhtamaki uses.
If you buy it
Use butcher paper at room temperature or refrigerated storage only; avoid placing it directly on hot surfaces or in ovens above 200°F, as high heat can degrade the coating and increase migration. Do not use for prolonged contact (weeks or months) with acidic, fatty, or salty foods, as these can leach coating components. Replace the paper if it tears, becomes saturated, or shows visible degradation. Store rolls in a cool, dry place away from sunlight to prevent coating breakdown.
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.”
Grease-resistant coating leaching (unknown polymer type)
Butcher paper coatings must be grease-resistant, typically achieved with wax, silicone, or synthetic polymers. Huhtamaki does not disclose the specific type used in this roll. Migration into fatty meats is unlikely at room temperature but cannot be ruled out without material data.
Heat-induced coating degradation
If the coating is polymer-based, exposure to heat above the polymer's thermal limit can cause breakdown and potential migration of monomers or additives. Butcher paper is not designed for oven use; risk is present if misused at high temperatures.
Microplastics from coating shed (if synthetic)
If the coating is a synthetic polymer rather than wax, mechanical stress (crumpling, tearing) could theoretically shed microparticles. Direct contact with meat is brief, but small particles could adhere to fatty surfaces. No recalls or testing data exist for this product.
Ink or adhesive residue (roll manufacturing)
The roll itself is typically printed with product information on the outer wrapper, not directly on the food-contact surface. Food-contact paper in the US must comply with FDA regulations for ink migration, and no issues are documented for Huhtamaki butcher paper.
Bacterial growth if stored wet or damaged
Paper can harbor bacteria if exposed to moisture or if tears allow liquid to pool. This is a storage and handling issue, not a chemical hazard, but relevant to food safety. Keep rolls dry and intact.
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 Grease-Resistant Butcher Paper
Hardin Simmons
Gordon Paper Butcher Paper
kraft paper, bleached sulfate pulp
Lower concern; uncoated butcher paper has minimal PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Hardin Simmons
Durable Packaging White Butcher Paper Roll
bleached kraft paper, likely uncoated
Lower concern. Standard butcher paper unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Deli King
Butcher Paper King Kraft Paper 36" x 500 ft
Kraft paper, unbleached cellulose
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.