LEM · Butcher Paper & Meat Wrapping
LEM Freezer Sheets
Freezer sheets likely use aqueous/silicone coating; coating source unclear.
LEM does not disclose freezer sheet material or surface treatment. Water-resistant food packaging commonly uses fluorinated coatings, but LEM provides no specification. Contact brand for coating details.
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
bleached paper or cellulose-based sheet with water/grease resistance 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 Sheets are bleached cellulose-based paper stock treated with a water and grease-resistant coating to prevent moisture transfer and food seepage in freezer storage. The coating is likely either aqueous polymer-based or silicone; neither introduces acute toxicity at freezer temperatures, but the specific formulation and presence of fluorinated compounds (PFAS) remains undisclosed by LEM. Bleached paper itself carries minimal risk if the bleaching process uses chlorine dioxide rather than elemental chlorine, which is standard in food-contact applications.
The brand's record and disclosure
LEM Products (meat grinder and food processing brand) has not publicly disclosed detailed ingredient composition or coating chemistry for its freezer sheets, nor has it published PFAS testing or avoidance statements. No recalls or safety controversies are on record for this specific product line. The brand's silence on fluorinated coatings is typical of many small food-packaging manufacturers but represents a gap in consumer transparency compared to major competitors.
How it compares in its category
Freezer paper alternatives include parchment paper (silicone-coated, often PFAS-free but more expensive), butcher paper (uncoated, lower water resistance), and plastic wrap (polyethylene, no PFAS but less freezer-durable). LEM sheets occupy a mid-market position: cheaper than premium parchment, more effective than plain kraft paper, and lacking explicit PFAS certification that newer eco-branded competitors now provide. No independent testing of LEM sheets has been published.
If you buy it
Store rolls in cool, dry conditions away from heat sources; the coating remains stable below freezing and presents no fume risk. Use for wrapping raw and cooked foods; do not place directly over flame or high heat (above 200°F). Replace rolls if coating visibly cracks or peels, or every 1-2 years with regular use. Contact LEM directly to request PFAS testing results or product safety data sheet if you have specific sensitivity concerns.
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 leachability (non-PFAS)
Aqueous or silicone coatings may migrate minimally into fatty foods (oils, butter, fatty meats) at standard freezer temperatures; freezing inhibits this risk compared to ambient storage, and migration levels below food safety thresholds are expected but unconfirmed for this brand.
Bleach residue in paper
Modern food-grade bleached paper uses safe chlorine dioxide or hydrogen peroxide; elemental chlorine is not permitted in US food-contact applications. No residual contamination has been reported for LEM or comparable freezer sheet products.
Microplastic shedding
Cellulose-based paper does not shed microplastics; coating particles may theoretically flake if severely damaged, but risk is negligible in normal freezer use and not reported in literature.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers
Formaldehyde resins are not typical in freezer sheet coatings; aqueous and silicone systems do not require them. No evidence of this hazard in paper food-contact products of this type.
Heavy metals in coating or bleach
Approved bleaching and coating chemistries for food contact do not introduce lead, cadmium, or arsenic. No recalls or contamination reports exist for LEM freezer sheets.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 42% 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.