Intermark · Butcher & Deli Paper
Paperbird Parchment Paper
Parchment paper may contain PFAS in grease-resistant coating; verify with brand.
Parchment paper typically uses silicone or hydrocarbon coatings, but grease-resistant formulations sometimes contain PFAS. Intermark has not disclosed PFAS status for this product. Contact the brand for 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
parchment paper, silicone or non-silicone release 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
Parchment paper is cellulose-based (wood pulp) treated with a release coating to prevent food sticking. The coating is typically either silicone or fluorocarbon-based (Teflon-type coating-like compounds). Silicone coatings are generally inert at moderate oven temperatures (up to 420F); fluorocarbon coatings carry risk of PFAS migration into fatty foods and potential thermal breakdown above 500F. Intermark's specific formulation is not publicly disclosed, creating uncertainty about which coating technology is used.
The brand's record and disclosure
Intermark is a packaging supplier with limited public transparency on material sourcing and chemical composition. No certifications (such as FDA compliance statements or third-party PFAS testing) appear in readily available product documentation. The brand has not issued public statements addressing PFAS concerns in its parchment paper line, which is typical for mid-tier suppliers. This silence is a disclosure gap rather than evidence of safety, but it prevents independent verification.
How it compares in its category
Parchment paper as a category is widely considered safe for occasional use; concern arises only when coating sources are unclear or when used at very high temperatures repeatedly. Brands like If You Care (chlorine-free, often silicone-based) and some store brands publish more detailed material specs. Intermark's Paperbird line is competitively priced but offers less transparency than premium alternatives. For consumers prioritizing certainty, certified chlorine-free or PFAS-tested brands provide more assurance.
If you buy it
Use at temperatures below 420F to minimize coating stress. Avoid prolonged contact with very fatty foods (oils, butters, fatty meats) as these may increase PFAS migration if the coating is fluorocarbon-based. Replace sheets if visible damage, discoloration, or separation appears. Store in a cool, dry location; do not leave unused rolls in direct sunlight. Contact Intermark directly to request coating type and PFAS testing data; if they cannot provide it, consider switching brands for frequent 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.”
PFAS in grease-resistant coating
Parchment paper coating may contain PFAS compounds used for water and grease resistance. Intermark has not disclosed coating chemistry or provided PFAS testing. Risk is highest with fatty foods and high heat; silicone-coated alternatives present lower risk.
Thermal degradation of release coating
If coating is fluorocarbon-based, oven temperatures above 500F may cause degradation and potential fume release or coating particle shedding. Standard parchment use (under 420F) presents minimal risk, but broiler or pizza-stone applications should be avoided.
Microplastics or coating particles from wear
Repeated use, crumpling, or damage to the paper can release small particles of the coating into food. This is not unique to Intermark but is a general parchment paper concern; visual inspection before each use mitigates risk.
Chlorine residue or bleaching byproducts
No public record of chlorine-related processing concerns for Paperbird parchment. Most mass-market parchment undergoes standard wood-pulp bleaching; residues are typically below regulatory limits. Intermark does not advertise chlorine-free status, but absence of disclosure does not indicate presence of hazard.
Ink or printing residue migration
Paperbird parchment paper carries no known issues with printed labels or branding. Modern food-contact printing inks are regulated; risk is minimal for standard use. No recalls or reports of ink migration for this brand are on record.
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 & 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.