Koppers · Grease-Resistant Butcher Paper
Staples Butcher Paper Roll
Lower concern. Food-contact butcher paper rarely uses PFAS, but coating unclear.
Butcher paper is typically kraft with wax or food-grade silicone coating. No PFAS disclosure from Koppers, though traditional butcher paper carries minimal PFAS risk.
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
kraft paper, likely silicone-coated or wax-treated
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
Staples/Koppers butcher paper is kraft paper (wood pulp) treated with a top coating, likely silicone or food-grade wax, to provide grease and moisture resistance for raw meat wrapping. Kraft paper itself is inert and widely used in food service. The coating formulation is not publicly disclosed by Koppers, but food-contact butcher papers in this category are FDA-cleared materials and do not typically require bleaching or heavy chemical treatment.
The brand's record and disclosure
Koppers is a specialty materials manufacturer with a long history in food packaging; no major recalls or safety controversies involving butcher paper rolls are on public record. The company does not publicly disclose detailed coating chemistry or third-party testing for this product. Staples does not market this product with specific safety certifications beyond implicit FDA food-contact compliance.
How it compares in its category
Butcher paper rolls are a commodity product with minimal differentiation. Koppers/Staples sits in the mainstream mid-tier: comparable to store brands and other commercial rolls, below specialty organic or plastic-free alternatives that may command higher prices. Most brands in this category do not disclose coating details, making direct comparison difficult.
If you buy it
Store rolls in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent coating degradation. Use for raw meat, fish, and deli items as intended; avoid prolonged contact with acidic foods (vinegar, citrus) that may degrade the coating. Replace rolls if you notice visible wear, discoloration, or a rancid smell. Do not use for direct grilling or extended high-heat contact; the paper and coating are not designed for direct flame.
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.”
Coating leachables (unknown composition)
Koppers does not publicly disclose whether the coating is silicone, wax, or a mixed formulation. If silicone-based, leaching into fatty foods is theoretically possible but FDA-cleared food-contact silicones have low migration. If wax-treated, composition (paraffin vs synthetic) is not specified.
Microplastics from coating degradation
No reports of microplastic shedding from standard food-contact butcher paper. Coating wear over time is cosmetic rather than a shedding hazard if stored and used correctly.
Chlorine residues or dioxins from bleaching
Kraft pulp used in food-contact paper is typically not bleached with chlorine, and Koppers does not advertise chlorine bleaching. No public data suggests dioxin contamination in this product line.
Mineral oil or petroleum residues
Some butcher papers are treated with mineral oil as a release agent. Koppers does not disclose this in public materials, and food-contact mineral oils are generally recognized as safe by FDA when properly refined.
Adhesive or ink residues on edges
Roll edges may be sealed with adhesive or printing; these do not contact food directly and pose negligible risk if rolls are unrolled cleanly before wrapping food.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 62% 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.