Katom · Grease-Resistant Paper Goods
Handy Wacks Bleached Butcher Paper
Bleached butcher paper likely has water/grease treatment; PFAS status unclear from vendor.
Katom's bleached butcher paper is food-contact packaging with probable water-resistant treatment. Brand discloses nothing about PFAS; coating chemistry unknown without lab testing.
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Material
bleached kraft paper, likely 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.
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
Handy Wacks Bleached Butcher Paper is kraft paper (wood pulp) that has been bleached with chlorine-based chemicals and treated with a grease-resistant coating to handle meat and fatty foods without soaking through. The coating is the critical unknown: bleached kraft papers commonly receive fluorochemical treatments (PFAS) or, less commonly, clay or wax-based alternatives for water and grease resistance. Katom does not publicly disclose the coating composition, which is the primary safety concern beyond baseline paper safety.
The brand's record and disclosure
Katom is a food-service supply distributor focused on commercial kitchen equipment and single-use items; they do not maintain a public PFAS disclosure policy or certification (e.g., PFAS-free claims). No major recalls or safety controversies have been established for this specific product. The brand's silence on grease-resistant coating chemistry is typical for mid-market food-service suppliers and reflects lack of consumer-facing transparency rather than confirmed hazard.
How it compares in its category
Bleached butcher paper is standard in food service and is generally safer than plastic wraps or coated boards when used for cold or moderate-heat contact. However, many competitors (e.g., If You Care, Compagnie du Kraft) explicitly state PFAS-free or disclose coating type; Katom's lack of disclosure makes direct comparison difficult. Unbleached kraft paper with no coating eliminates grease-resistant function but removes bleaching and coating unknowns entirely.
If you buy it
Use this product for cold storage and wrapping of raw or cooked meats; do not use in direct contact with very hot foods (above 140°F) or in ovens, as coating degradation risk is unknown. Replace rolls if discoloration, brittleness, or grease bleeding occurs, as these signal coating breakdown. Store in a cool, dry place away from light to slow any chemical leaching or oxidation. If PFAS content is a concern for your household, request a material safety data sheet from Katom or switch to a brand with explicit PFAS-free certification.
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.”
Chlorine bleaching residue and byproducts
Bleached kraft paper may retain trace chlorine compounds or dioxins from the bleaching process; typical food-contact papers are regulated to safe limits, but Katom does not publish bleaching methodology or testing results.
Grease-resistant coating composition (non-PFAS concern)
The coating's identity is undisclosed; while PFAS is the primary concern (graded separately), alternative coatings (e.g., silicones, chlorinated paraffins) carry different toxicological profiles that cannot be assessed without manufacturer disclosure.
Coating migration or leaching under heat
No documented thermal stability testing for this product is available; any heat above moderate levels could accelerate migration of coating compounds into fatty foods, which are good solvents for hydrophobic substances.
Ink or pigment contamination from printing
Handy Wacks packaging does not show intricate printing on food-contact surfaces; standard regulatory compliance applies, and no specific brand issues are documented.
Microplastic or paper fiber shedding
Paper-based products do not shed microplastics by definition; fiber release is minimal in normal use and poses no established consumer health risk for butcher paper.
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
Katom
Kraft Paper Roll
Kraft paper, uncoated
Lower concern. Uncoated kraft paper is inherently PFAS-free material.
⚠Risky category by default
Katom
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
bleached paper, uncoated
Lower concern. Plain paper butcher wrap typically PFAS-free.
⚠Risky category by default
Katom
Kraft Paper Sheets 24x24 / Without Center Cut / 500 Sheets per Case
Kraft paper, uncoated
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.