Kotkamills · Butcher & Deli Paper
ULINE Butcher Paper Roll
Butcher paper may contain grease-resistant coatings; PFAS status unclear.
Butcher paper often includes water or grease-resistant treatments that may contain PFAS. Brand provides no disclosure on coating composition or PFAS avoidance. Unverified.
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
paper with moisture-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
Uline's butcher paper (Kotkamills source) is kraft paper with a moisture and grease-resistant coating applied to the surface. The coating's chemistry is not disclosed by either Uline or Kotkamills in public materials; industry standard for butcher paper involves either silicone-based or fluorinated (PFAS-containing) barriers. The coating prevents fat and meat juices from soaking through, extending shelf life and maintaining paper integrity during refrigeration and handling.
The brand's record and disclosure
Uline has not publicly committed to PFAS-free sourcing or published ingredient transparency for this product line. Kotkamills (Finnish papermaker) does not explicitly market this roll as PFAS-free in available product documentation. Neither company has faced documented recalls or safety actions on this specific SKU. The silence on fluorinated coatings is consistent with industry norms for food-contact paper; disclosure remains voluntary in most jurisdictions.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial butcher papers use similar moisture-resistant coatings; PFAS prevalence in this product class is widespread but not universal. Some premium brands (notably some certified organic and eco-label products) now offer PFAS-free alternatives using silicone or wax-only formulations, though these typically cost more and perform differently at high moisture. Standard butcher paper like this remains the cost baseline and is functionally effective for most retail and foodservice use.
If you buy it
Use as intended: wrapping raw or cooked meat for refrigeration and freezing. Avoid direct contact with hot surfaces above 150°C or prolonged microwave heating, as degraded coating particles could migrate into food. Replace rolls annually or if visible wear (tears, coating flaking) appears. For direct food contact in high-heat smoking or grilling, uncoated kraft or certified food-grade parchment is safer; this paper is optimized for cold storage.
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
Butcher paper's water and grease resistance typically requires fluorinated compounds (PFOA, PFOS, or newer alternates). Uline and Kotkamills do not disclose coating type; migration into fatty foods during storage is the primary exposure route.
Chlorine residues from bleaching
Kraft pulp is typically unbleached or lightly chlorine-free bleached; no specific recalls or reports link Kotkamills or Uline butcher paper to chlorinated compound residues. Standard industry practice does not require concern here.
Ink or dye migration from printed surfaces
This product's printed side (branding/graduations) does not contact food directly under normal use. No evidence of migration hazards specific to Uline-branded stock. Mineral-oil-based printing inks are standard and pose minimal risk if paper is used wrap-side-down.
Coating degradation and particle ingestion
Extended freezer storage or mechanical stress (folding, creasing) may cause coating flaking or breakdown. While unlikely to cause acute harm in small amounts, degraded coating particles represent an unquantified microplastic and potential chemical exposure if ingested with food.
Bacterial or mold growth on paper surface
Paper itself is not antimicrobially treated. Proper freezing and dry storage prevent microbial colonization. No product-specific contamination reports found for this SKU.
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.