Parchment Paper by Harris Teeter · Grease-Resistant Parchment Paper
Reynolds Kitchens Unbleached Parchment Paper
Lower concern. Parchment is cellulose-based, but coating type unconfirmed.
Reynolds unbleached parchment uses a silicone coating, which is PFAS-free, but the brand does not disclose full coating details. No third-party testing available publicly.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
silicone-coated cellulose/paper base
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 Unbleached Parchment Paper is cellulose (plant fiber) coated with food-grade silicone on one or both sides. The unbleached designation means it skips chlorine-based whitening agents that can produce trace organochlorine byproducts. Silicone is inert at normal cooking temperatures (up to 420-450°F depending on product specs) and does not migrate into food under standard use. The cellulose base is biodegradable; the silicone coating is what prevents grease and moisture penetration.
The brand's record and disclosure
Reynolds is a major U.S. cookware and food-storage brand owned by Alcoa Corporation, with long-standing FDA food-contact compliance for parchment products. Harris Teeter is a grocery chain that carries private-label parchment under the Reynolds brand name. Neither brand publishes detailed PFAS testing results or third-party certifications specific to parchment paper, which is typical for this product category. No recalls or contamination incidents are on record for this parchment line.
How it compares in its category
Parchment paper is safer than plastic wrap (no migration of plasticizers like BPA) and comparable to silicone baking mats in chemical inertness. Unbleached variants eliminate a minor source of chlorine residues versus bleached versions. Wax paper (paraffin- or soy-wax-coated) is slightly less stable at high heat. Among parchment brands, Reynolds and store-label alternatives are similarly formulated; no significant chemical safety differentiation exists in the mass market.
If you buy it
Use parchment paper up to the stated heat limit (typically 420°F for most brands; verify the package). Do not reuse sheets if the silicone coating is visibly worn, torn, or has flaked away, as the underlying cellulose will absorb grease and may shed fibers. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent mold growth on the paper base. Replace after 1-2 years if stored in humid conditions, as cellulose degrades with moisture exposure.
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.”
Silicone coating degradation at high heat
If parchment is used above 450°F or reused extensively, the silicone coating can crack and flake, releasing small particles into food. Reynolds Kitchens specifies safe temperature ranges on packaging; adhering to these limits mitigates this risk.
Bacterial or mold growth (cellulose base)
The paper base can support microbial growth if stored in humid or warm conditions. This is a storage issue, not a manufacturing hazard; proper dry storage prevents it.
Chlorine residues (bleached variants only)
This product is unbleached, so it avoids potential trace chlorine compounds from industrial bleaching. Bleached parchment carries theoretical but unverified residue risk.
Heavy metals in silicone coating
Food-grade silicone is regulated by the FDA and does not typically contain lead, cadmium, or other metals. No contamination incidents have been reported for Reynolds parchment products.
BPA or phthalate leaching
Parchment paper does not contain BPA or phthalate plasticizers. The silicone coating is polymer-based but structurally distinct from plastic films and does not release these chemicals.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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 Grease-Resistant Parchment Paper
Parchment Paper by Kroger
If You Care Parchment Baking Sheets
bleached paper with silicone coating
Lower concern; PFAS-free claim but unverified by third party.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Parchment Paper by Market Pantry
PaperChef Parchment Sheet Pre-Cut - Case of 12 - 1 each
silicone-coated paper, heat-resistant polymer coating
Standard parchment; lower PFAS risk than non-stick cookware.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More grease-resistant parchment 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.