Parchment Paper (generic) · Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
ULINE Butcher Paper Roll
Typical butcher paper; grease-resistant coating source unclear, no disclosure.
Butcher paper rolls typically use wax or silicone coatings for grease resistance. ULINE does not disclose coating composition or PFAS status, making full assessment impossible without lab testing.
The safe swap
Sam's Club
Member's Mark Heavy Duty Food Service Foil
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its C.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Paper with grease-resistant coating (likely wax or silicone)
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
Butcher paper is cellulose-based kraft paper with a grease-resistant coating, typically wax (food-safe paraffin), silicone, or potentially fluorinated compounds (PFAS). The coating prevents oil and meat juices from penetrating the paper, which keeps food dry and extends shelf life. Uline does not publicly disclose which coating is used in their butcher paper, creating uncertainty about PFAS content. The paper itself is inert, but the coating's chemical identity determines whether safer or higher-risk compounds contact your food.
The brand's record and disclosure
Uline is a major distributor of commercial food-service supplies but has not published transparency data about PFAS in their butcher paper or other food-contact papers. No third-party certifications (like NSF or compostability standards) are listed on typical product pages for their butcher paper rolls. The brand has not issued public statements declining PFAS or committing to PFAS-free alternatives, placing them in the silent majority rather than the leadership tier on this issue. No recalls or contamination incidents are on record for Uline butcher paper specifically.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial butcher paper rolls from major suppliers (Uline, Sysco, Kraft) use similar construction and do not disclose coating chemistry. Specialty brands marketing PFAS-free or wax-only alternatives (sometimes labeled 'chlorine-free' or 'compostable') do exist but cost more and are harder to source. Uline's pricing is competitive and quality is standard for food-service grade; the trade-off is lack of transparency rather than known inferior performance. Generic parchment paper and silicone-coated paper are alternatives but serve slightly different purposes (baking vs. wrapping meat).
If you buy it
Use for cold and room-temperature food storage and wrapping (meat, cheese, deli items). Do not place directly on high heat or in ovens above 420F without testing first, as some coatings degrade. Replace rolls every 1-2 years or when you notice the surface becoming sticky, torn, or non-waxy, which signals coating breakdown. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent premature coating degradation. If PFAS risk is a priority concern, contact Uline directly to request coating information or switch to brands explicitly marketing PFAS-free products.
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
Butcher paper coatings often contain fluorinated compounds for water and grease resistance. Uline's specific formulation is not disclosed, leaving PFAS presence unconfirmed but typical in this product category. Migration to fatty foods (meat, cheese) is plausible if PFAS-containing coating is used.
Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
Over time, especially with moisture or acidic foods, wax or silicone coatings can flake or wear. If coating fragments contact food, ingestion is unlikely to cause acute harm but is undesirable. Proper storage and replacement on schedule mitigates this risk.
Mineral oil or paraffin migration (if wax-coated)
Food-grade paraffin and mineral oil are recognized as safe by FDA for indirect food contact. If Uline uses these (rather than PFAS), migration is minimal and not classically hazardous, but direct confirmation would strengthen this assessment.
Chlorine residues from paper bleaching
Commercial butcher paper is typically processed without heavy chlorine bleaching, but no specific data on Uline's mill practices is publicly available. This is a concern mainly for specialty unbleached or chlorine-free labeled products; standard rolls present minimal known risk.
Heat-induced coating volatilization
If paper is used in warm or steamy environments (e.g., near food warmers or in freezer wrap that contacts warm meat), heat can accelerate coating breakdown or vaporization. Using butcher paper only below 420F and avoiding direct heat contact is a practical control.
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 Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
Sam's Club
Member's Mark Heavy Duty Food Service Foil
Aluminum foil
Lower concern. Plain aluminum foil typically PFAS-free.
⚠Risky category by default
Sam's Club
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
unbleached natural kraft paper
Lower concern. Uncoated paper unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Butcher Paper (generic/store brands)
Bryco Goods Pink Kraft Butcher Paper Roll 18 Inch x 175 Feet
kraft paper, uncoated or minimal coating
Lower concern; plain kraft paper has minimal PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
More grease-resistant butcher & deli 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.