LEM · Butcher Paper & Meat Wrapping
Reynolds Kitchens Butcher Paper with Slide Cutter
Butcher paper likely uses grease-resistant coating; PFAS status unclear from brand.
Butcher paper products often contain water and grease-resistant coatings that may include PFAS, but Reynolds does not disclose treatment details. No independent verification available for this product line.
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 silicone coating and wax
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
Reynolds Kitchens Butcher Paper is a kraft paper substrate coated with a combination of wax and silicone to repel moisture and grease during food contact and storage. The wax layer (typically paraffin or soy-based) is food-safe and approved by FDA for direct food contact, but the silicone coating's composition is where PFAS risk concentrates, as manufacturers often use fluorinated compounds for grease resistance. The slide-cutter mechanism is metal/plastic and poses no chemical hazard beyond standard mechanical failure.
The brand's record and disclosure
Reynolds (owned by Alcoa) has not made public commitments to eliminate PFAS from food-contact papers and maintains a largely silent stance on the fluorination status of its coatings. The brand has no major documented recalls or safety violations specific to butcher paper. Reynolds does comply with FDA food-contact regulations, but this does not guarantee absence of legacy PFAS compounds, which remain legal in most food packaging in the US absent specific state bans.
How it compares in its category
Butcher paper with wax/silicone coating is standard in the category and generally safer than plastic-wrapped alternatives for direct meat contact because paper is non-migrating and lower-temperature stable. However, brands like If You Care and some specialty suppliers offer butcher paper with explicit non-fluorinated or plant-only coatings, providing more transparency. Reynolds' lack of PFAS disclosure puts it in the middle of the transparency spectrum; premium alternatives exist but cost more.
If you buy it
Store the paper roll in a cool, dry place away from heat sources; wax coatings can soften above 70C and lose effectiveness. Use for cold or room-temperature storage (deli meats, cheeses); avoid wrapping hot foods immediately post-cooking. Replace the roll every 12 months if stored in a damp kitchen, as wax can degrade and silicone may peel. The slide cutter is a convenience; keep the blade clean and dry to prevent rust.
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
Silicone-based food-contact coatings on butcher paper often incorporate fluorinated compounds for grease resistance. Reynolds does not disclose PFAS status; risk of migration into fatty foods (meats, lard) is low but not zero under normal use.
Wax or silicone migration under heat
If paper is used to wrap hot meat immediately after cooking or in contact with high-heat processing, wax or silicone layers may soften and micro-migrate into food. FDA tolerates low levels; risk is minimal for cold storage but present for hot wrapping.
Ink or dyes on printed side
Reynolds butcher paper typically uses food-safe soy-based inks on the printed (outer) side. No documented issues with heavy metals or azo dyes in this product line; maintain contact with the plain (coated) side toward food.
Mold or bacterial growth if stored damp
Paper substrate is organic and can support mold growth if stored in humid conditions above 60% RH. This is a storage failure, not a product defect, but worth monitoring in coastal or tropical climates.
Coating degradation and particle shedding
No recalls or reports of silicone or wax particles in food from Reynolds butcher paper. Degradation is slow under normal storage and occurs mainly if paper is creased repeatedly or stored very long-term (2+ years).
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.