Intermark · Butcher & Deli Paper
Traeger Pink BBQ Butcher Paper Roll
Pink butcher paper; coating composition unclear, water-repellent coating likely contains PFAS.
Traeger's pink butcher paper uses a water and grease-resistant treatment typical of food-contact papers, often PFAS-based. Brand does not disclose coating chemistry or PFAS status.
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
Kraft paper with water/grease-resistant coating (water-repellent coating treatment likely applied)
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
Traeger Pink Butcher Paper is Kraft paper (cellulose fibers) coated with a water and grease-resistant (water-repellent coating) finish to prevent fat and moisture penetration during smoking and storage. The water-repellent coating composition is not publicly disclosed by Intermark or Traeger. Kraft paper itself is safe, but the coating, which contacts hot food and fat, is the critical variable; traditional water-repellent coating treatments on food-service papers often contain fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or silicone-based alternatives. The pink dye (likely iron oxide or synthetic azo-based colorant) is applied to the surface and does not typically migrate into food under normal use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Intermark and Traeger have not published technical data sheets or safety certifications specific to coating chemistry for this product line. Neither company appears on public PFAS-reduction commitments or has issued statements about their butcher paper water-repellent coating formulations. The product carries no third-party certifications (e.g., FDA compliance statements, Green Seal, or PFAS-free declarations). Traeger's silence on coating composition is consistent with industry norms for BBQ accessories, but leaves end-users without confirmation of safety profile.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial butcher paper rolls (Traeger, Alinfe, Sysco house brands, others) use similar water-repellent coating-coated Kraft bases; very few disclose coating type. Butcher paper is generally preferred over plastic wrap for high-heat smoking because it breathes and avoids heat-driven plastic leaching. Uncoated or minimally treated Kraft alternatives (e.g., parchment paper marketed as PFOA-free) exist but may offer reduced grease barrier, requiring more frequent replacement. Traeger's pink variety offers no performance advantage over generic white butcher paper; color choice is aesthetic.
If you buy it
Use for direct food contact only during smoking (typically under 300F in the wrapped zone). Do not reuse rolls after first use; discard after single application. Store rolls in a cool, dry place away from heat or sunlight to prevent coating breakdown. If you see visible coating cracking, darkening, or separation from the paper substrate, replace the roll immediately. Limit contact time with acidic rubs or marinades (vinegar, citrus) on the paper surface, as acidity can accelerate coating degradation and potential leaching.
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 water-repellent coating (fluorinated water-repellent treatment)
Graded separately per protocol. Kraft butcher papers commonly use PFAS-based water-repellent coating formulations; Intermark's coating is unconfirmed but typical for this product class. Migration into fatty foods (brisket, pork) under heat is a known concern in food-contact applications.
Coating degradation and leaching under high heat
water-repellent coating coatings (whether PFAS or silicone-based) can break down or migrate into food when contacted by hot fat or acidic rubs. No published data on Traeger Pink's thermal stability exists. Butcher paper is typically applied post-cook (for resting), limiting peak-heat exposure, but direct contact during smoking at 225-275F is possible.
Synthetic azo dyes in pink colorant (potential heavy metals)
Iron oxide and approved synthetic dyes used in food-service paper are regulated under FDA compliance. No recalls or contamination reports on Traeger Pink are on record. Surface-only application and brief food contact minimize ingestion risk, but formal testing of dye stability under heat has not been published.
Microplastic or paper fiber shedding into food
Kraft paper is cellulose and degrades naturally; it does not generate microplastics. Fiber shedding is possible if paper is crumpled or torn, but ingestion of food-grade paper fibers poses no established toxicological risk.
Bacterial growth or mold on stored rolls
Butcher paper rolls stored in humid or warm conditions can develop mold or bacterial biofilm on the surface or under the coating. Inspect rolls before use; discard if visible discoloration, odor, or soft spots appear. Store in sealed, cool, dry conditions.
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.