LEM · Butcher Paper & Meat Wrapping
LEM Freezer Paper
Freezer paper likely has water/grease treatment, PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.
LEM freezer paper's coating composition is not publicly disclosed. Grease-resistant food packaging often contains PFAS, but no confirmation available for this brand.
The safe swap
LEM
LEM 15" Freezer Paper Cutter
80/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its B.
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.
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
LEM freezer paper is kraft paper laminated with a grease-resistant plastic or wax coating on one side, designed to prevent freezer burn and moisture loss during storage. The coating's exact composition is not disclosed by LEM; freezer papers typically use either polyethylene, wax, or treated compounds to repel water and fats. Because the coating sits directly against food, any leachable components or treatment chemicals (particularly water-and-grease-resistant agents) can migrate into fatty or acidic foods over time, especially if paper is creased, torn, or heated.
The brand's record and disclosure
LEM is a meat-processing equipment and supplies manufacturer; they have not published transparency statements about freezer paper coating chemistry, PFAS content, or food-contact safety certifications on public record. No recalls specific to LEM freezer paper for chemical contamination appear in FDA or CPSC databases. The company's silence on coating treatment is the primary red flag, as responsible manufacturers of food-contact papers typically disclose whether their grease barriers are PFAS-based, fluorocarbon-free, or paraffin-derived.
How it compares in its category
Freezer paper is a niche product; most direct competitors (Ninth Life, If You Care, butcher-grade rolls) also lack full disclosure on coating chemistry, though some market themselves as PFAS-free or paraffin-coated. Standard alternatives like aluminum foil, vacuum-seal bags, or wax paper avoid the coating ambiguity altogether but sacrifice some freezer-burn prevention. LEM's product is mid-range in transparency compared to specialty brands but offers no advantage in safety documentation.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged contact with fatty meats or acidic foods; wrap items in the paper and seal in an airtight freezer bag as a second barrier to minimize any coating leaching. Do not use LEM freezer paper for oven reheating or direct contact with hot food, as heat may accelerate leaching from an unknown coating. Replace paper if creased, torn, or visibly degraded; purchase fresh rolls every 1-2 years. Consider requesting LEM's Certificate of Analysis or coating specifications before bulk purchasing for a meat business.
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.”
Grease-resistant coating leaching (unidentified chemistry)
LEM does not disclose whether the coating is PFAS-based, paraffin, or fluorocarbon-free. Coatings designed to repel water and grease are historically the primary source of PFAS in food-contact papers; leaching risk is highest with fatty foods and prolonged contact.
Microplastic shedding from lamination
No documented cases of plastic coating flaking from LEM freezer paper into food. Risk is low with intact paper, but creasing or handling may compromise lamination; visual inspection can detect peeling.
Chlorine or bleach residue in pulp
LEM has not disclosed pulp sourcing or bleaching method. Chlorine-bleached kraft paper poses minimal food-contact risk under normal freezing conditions, but unbleached or oxygen-bleached alternatives exist if chlorine exposure is a concern.
Adhesive or coating degradation over time
Freezer conditions (repeated thaw cycles, moisture, temperature swings) can weaken the lamination bond; degraded coating may shed into food or lose grease-resistance, allowing freezer burn and potential contamination from packaging materials.
Lack of food-contact certification
LEM freezer paper carries no visible FDA, NSF, or third-party food-contact certification on packaging. Absence of certification does not confirm unsafety but indicates the product is not formally validated for direct food contact.
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 Paper & Meat Wrapping
LEM
15" Freezer Paper Cutter
stainless steel blade, bare metal construction
Lower concern. Bare metal tool with no coatings identified.
⚠Risky category by default
Compactor
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
natural kraft butcher paper, no coating specified
Lower concern. Uncoated kraft paper unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Compactor
Staples Butcher Paper Roll
cellulose paper, uncoated or minimally treated
Lower concern. Butcher paper is typically uncoated cellulose.
⚠Risky category by default
More butcher paper & meat wrapping 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.