Restaurantware · Paper Straws
Restaurantware Paper Straws & Drink Accessories Set of 100
Lower-concern choice; plain paper straws typically avoid PFAS, but brand discloses nothing.
Restaurantware's paper straws are made from a simple cellulose material unlikely to contain PFAS, paper itself is not typically treated with fluorochemicals unless specifically waterproofed. However, the brand makes no public statement about PFAS avoidance or testing.
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Paper straws (cellulose-based)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
These are cellulose-based paper straws, the simplest food-contact material in the straw category. Paper is inherently low-risk for leaching because it does not dissolve in cold or room-temperature beverages and lacks the polymer matrix that can degrade into microparticles or chemical migrants. The main chemical concern in paper products is what gets added during manufacturing: bleaching agents, sizing chemicals, and coatings used to improve water resistance. Plain paper straws typically require minimal chemical treatment compared to plastic or coated alternatives.
The brand's record and disclosure
Restaurantware is a foodservice supplier with no publicly documented safety controversies, recalls, or third-party certifications (e.g., FSC, compostable certification) on record for this product line. The brand does not disclose composition details, manufacturing standards, or testing results on their website. This silence is standard for mid-tier foodservice suppliers but means verification of specific hazard controls is not available to consumers.
How it compares in its category
Paper straws rank lower-risk than plastic (PLA, polypropylene, or bamboo composite straws) because they avoid polymer leaching and microplastic shedding entirely. They sit at similar chemical risk to uncoated wood straws but may carry slightly higher risk if heavily bleached or treated with water-resistant coatings. Versus stainless steel or glass, paper is single-use and generates waste, but avoids any leaching hazard.
If you buy it
Use these straws with cold or warm (not hot) beverages; prolonged contact with near-boiling liquids can weaken the paper structure and increase fiber shedding. Discard any straw that shows visible softening, discoloration, or separation of fibers before use. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent mold growth or moisture-induced degradation. Check individual straws for any chemical smell before use, though plain paper rarely carries noticeable odor.
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.”
Bleach residues and chlorine by-products in paper
Paper manufacturing often uses chlorine or oxygen-based bleaching. No public testing available for Restaurantware straws specifically, but uncontrolled bleach residue is a known concern in low-transparency foodservice paper products.
Water-resistant coatings (wax, oil-based sizing, or synthetic polymers)
Some paper straws are coated to resist liquid breakdown. If this product uses synthetic sizing, it could potentially contain non-disclosed polymers or chemicals. Brand does not specify coating type.
Microfiber shedding when wet
Paper naturally sheds fibers over time when exposed to liquid. Poorly manufactured or thin paper straws may shed visible fibers into beverages, though this is not a toxicity hazard, only a user-experience and quality concern.
Mold or bacterial growth if stored damp
Paper straws themselves do not promote microbial growth if kept dry. Risk arises only from user storage in humid or wet conditions before use.
Heavy metals in inks or dyes (if printed)
No public record of Restaurantware straws being printed with inks in contact with beverage. If graphics are present, food-contact inks should be regulated, but brand discloses no such details.
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 Paper Straws
World Centric
Compostable Straws
Plant-based cellulose (PHA/PLA blend), compostable
Lower-concern choice; compostable material + explicit PFAS-free claim + third-party certifications reduce risk substantially.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Vegware
Compostable Standard Straws (6500ct)
Polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic
Lower concern; compostable PLA straws with credible third-party compostability certs and explicit PFAS-free positioning.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Vegware
Green stripe Jumbo Vegware wrapped PLA
PLA (polylactic acid) compostable plastic
Lower concern; PLA itself carries minimal PFAS risk, and Vegware makes no intentional additions, but verify end-of-life composting.
⚠Risky category by default
More paper straws 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.