LEM · Butcher Paper & Meat Wrapping
Peachy's BBQ Butcher Paper Roll
BBQ butcher paper likely uses silicone or mineral oil coating, lower concern.
LEM's butcher paper is uncoated kraft or lightly coated for grease resistance. No public PFAS claims or third-party testing available. Typical butcher paper carries moderate risk from possible water-resistant treatments.
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
Kraft paper with water-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
Peachy's BBQ Butcher Paper is kraft paper, a wood-pulp product, coated with a water-resistant layer to prevent grease and moisture penetration during smoking and storage. The coating is most likely silicone-based or mineral oil rather than fluorinated polymers (Teflon-type coating), which means it avoids the worst-case scenario of PFAS exposure from a butcher paper product. Kraft paper itself is food-safe and has been used in commercial food service for decades without major safety incidents in this application.
The brand's record and disclosure
LEM is a well-established US-based food-preparation equipment and supply manufacturer with a functional track record in the commercial and home-use market. The brand does not publish detailed material safety data sheets or coating composition for retail butcher paper products, which is typical for this product category but limits transparency. No publicly documented recalls or safety incidents specific to LEM butcher paper have been identified in recent years; the brand's reputation is built on utility rather than rigorous chemical disclosure.
How it compares in its category
Butcher paper is the standard choice for low-migration food wrapping during smoking and cooking because it is heat-stable and resists oil without requiring aggressive chemical coatings. Most commercial butcher papers (LEM, Marsh, Reynolds Butcher Wrap) use similar kraft-plus-coating formulations. This product sits squarely in the mainstream of the category; there is no credible evidence that LEM butcher paper poses higher risk than competitor rolls, and direct comparisons in safety testing are sparse for the category overall.
If you buy it
Use this paper for its intended purpose: wrapping meat during smoking, grilling, or storage at typical food-service temperatures. Do not use it for prolonged direct contact with acidic foods (vinegar-based sauces) or at temperatures above 400°F, as the coating's stability at extreme conditions is not publicly documented. Replace the roll if the paper becomes visibly torn, saturated, or shows signs of deterioration. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent mold or moisture damage to the coating.
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 migration under high heat or prolonged contact
Silicone or mineral oil coatings can shed into food at very high temperatures or extended contact times; risk is low for typical smoking (225-275°F) but has not been formally quantified by LEM or independent labs for this specific product.
Ink or adhesive residues from printing
LEM butcher paper rolls typically feature minimal printed branding; if inks are used, they should meet FDA standards for food-contact surfaces, but no specific test data for this product is publicly available.
Bacterial growth or mold on wet paper
Kraft paper can retain moisture and support microbial growth if stored improperly or left damp; this is a handling and storage issue rather than a manufacturing defect, but users should ensure the roll stays dry before use.
Trace heavy metals or contaminants in recycled kraft pulp
Kraft paper may be made from virgin or recycled wood pulp; if recycled, trace metals from previous product contact are theoretically possible but are not documented as a concern in food-service butcher paper and are heavily diluted by the pulping process.
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 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.