25/ 100
F
OverallF17/100
12" - Butcher Paper Rolls Roll

Katom · Grease-Resistant Paper Goods

12" - Butcher Paper Rolls Roll

F · High PFAS

Butcher paper likely has grease-resistant coating; PFAS risk unknown.

Verdict: SkipButcher paper is food-safe by design, but PFAS in grease-resistant coating is unconfirmed for this brand; use for dry/room-temp foods only, avoid direct heat contact.

Butcher paper rolls typically feature water and grease-resistant treatment, often PFAS-based. Katom discloses no PFAS information; contact brand or choose uncoated alternatives for lower concern.

The safe swap

Kraft Paper Roll

Katom

Kraft Paper Roll

70/100 safety

C

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

Material

Paper with grease-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

Katom butcher paper is cellulose paper with an applied grease-resistant coating, typically silicone or wax-based in standard products, though some premium butcher papers use fluorochemical treatments (PFAS compounds). The coating is the critical variable: it prevents fat transfer during storage and wrapping of raw/cured meats, but its composition determines whether trace chemicals can migrate into food. Katom does not publicly specify coating chemistry on product packaging or website based on available information.

The brand's record and disclosure

Katom is a food-service distributor (part of WebstaurantStore ecosystem) without published transparency reports on coating suppliers or PFAS policy. No recalls, certifications (e.g., FDA functional barrier claims), or independent testing results are on record for this specific SKU. The brand's silence on grease-resistant coating origin means you cannot confirm whether PFAS or safer alternatives (silicone, wax) are in use. No established controversies specific to butcher paper products from this vendor.

How it compares in its category

Standard butcher paper rolls (bleached kraft) are food-contact approved in the US under FDA CFR 176 (indirect food additives), but coating formulation varies widely across manufacturers. Products explicitly labeled 'PFAS-free' or 'fluorochemical-free' from competitors (e.g., If You Care, certain restaurant-supply chains) exist but are less common in bulk foodservice lines. Katom's product occupies the mid-market, price-optimized segment where coating chemistry is often cost-driven and opaque. Comparable Katom freezer paper and food-wrap products show the same disclosure gap.

If you buy it

Use for room-temperature wrapping of cured/dry meats and storage in refrigerators; do not use for direct contact with hot foods, raw poultry, or items above 50°C (coating integrity unknown at heat). Replace rolls every 1-2 years if stored in humid conditions to prevent mold or paper degradation. Request coating specification from Katom/WebstaurantStore customer service if PFAS concern is critical to your decision. For high-risk applications (commercial food prep, dietary-sensitive use), consider labeled 'PFAS-free' alternatives despite higher cost.

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

PFAS in grease-resistant coating

Butcher paper's water/grease barrier is often achieved with fluorochemical coatings (PFOA/PFOS predecessors or GenX alternatives); Katom does not disclose coating type, so PFAS presence cannot be ruled out. Risk is chronic low-level migration into fatty foods over storage period.

None known

Microplastic or coating particle shedding

No established reports of Katom butcher paper flaking or degrading during normal use. Cellulose is stable; risk is only if coating is poorly applied or product is physically damaged before use.

None known

Bleach residue in kraft paper

FDA-approved chlorine bleaching in paper manufacturing is tightly regulated; final paper contains no detectable residual bleach. This is not a known concern for food-contact butcher paper from established suppliers.

Possible

Mold or bacterial growth on paper if stored damp

Paper itself is inert, but humid storage can promote mold on the roll surface; once mold is visible, the roll should be discarded. This is a storage issue, not a manufacturing hazard.

None known

Heavy metals or contaminants in coating

No recalls or testing data suggest heavy metals in Katom butcher paper. FDA indirect food additive rules apply to coatings, but third-party verification is absent for this brand.

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 Paper Goods

Kraft Paper Roll

Katom

Kraft Paper Roll

Kraft paper, uncoated

C
F
PFASAll
C · Moderate2 flags

Lower concern. Uncoated kraft paper is inherently PFAS-free material.

Risky category by default

Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish

Katom

Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish

bleached paper, uncoated

C
F
PFASAll
C · Moderate2 flags

Lower concern. Plain paper butcher wrap typically PFAS-free.

Risky category by default

Kraft Paper Sheets 24x24 / Without Center Cut / 500 Sheets per Case

Katom

Kraft Paper Sheets 24x24 / Without Center Cut / 500 Sheets per Case

Kraft paper, uncoated

C
F
PFASAll
C · Moderate3 flags

Lower concern. Bare kraft paper rarely requires PFAS coatings.

Risky category by default

More grease-resistant paper goods 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.