Reynolds · Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
(4 pack) Reynolds Cut-Rite Wax Paper, 75 Square Feet
Wax paper lower concern, but silicone coating composition unclear.
Reynolds wax paper uses wax and silicone coating for non-stick properties. Silicone itself is generally lower PFAS risk, but Reynolds discloses nothing about PFAS or coating specifics.
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 silicone and wax 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
Reynolds Cut-Rite wax paper is paper substrate coated with a blend of wax (typically paraffin or soy-based) and silicone to create a non-stick, grease-resistant surface. The wax coating is food-approved and has been used safely for decades in food wrapping and baking. The silicone component's exact formulation is not publicly disclosed by Reynolds, which means potential impurities or additives in that layer cannot be independently verified.
The brand's record and disclosure
Reynolds is owned by Alcoa Corporation and has a long history in food-contact packaging. The company does not publish detailed material safety disclosures or third-party certifications specific to this product's coating chemistry. Reynolds has faced no documented recalls or regulatory actions tied to Cut-Rite wax paper toxicity. The brand remains silent on PFAS use, which is typical for wax paper manufacturers but leaves composition questions unresolved.
How it compares in its category
Wax paper is considered one of the safer alternatives to plastic wrap and aluminum foil for food contact, as it does not require the chemical treatments needed in those materials. Parchment paper (unbleached) offers similar non-stick properties with more transparency around coating materials, though both serve the same purpose. Silicone-coated alternatives are increasingly common, but Reynolds does not distinguish its silicone source or processing from competitors.
If you buy it
Use wax paper for wrapping, storing, and lining baking sheets up to approximately 420 degrees Fahrenheit; wax begins to smoke and degrade above this temperature. Do not use directly over open flame or in direct contact with very hot food surfaces. Replace rolls if coating shows visible flaking, discoloration, or loss of non-stick properties. Standard room-temperature storage is adequate; no special handling is required.
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 composition (unknown additives)
Reynolds does not disclose the full formulation of the silicone layer, including whether it contains plasticizers, crosslinkers, or residual catalysts that could migrate to food under certain conditions. No contamination events are on record for this product.
Thermal degradation of wax coating
Heating wax paper above ~420 degrees Fahrenheit can cause the coating to smoke, degrade, and potentially release unidentified volatile compounds. Direct contact with flames or heating elements poses avoidable risk.
Coating migration to fatty foods
Wax and silicone coatings are designed to be food-safe and non-migratory under normal use, but contact with high-fat or oily foods at elevated temperatures has not been exhaustively tested by independent laboratories. Industry data suggests risk is minimal.
Microplastics from degraded coating
No documented cases of silicone or wax flaking from Reynolds Cut-Rite wax paper entering food, but aging and mechanical stress could theoretically cause coating particles to separate if the product is reused or stored improperly.
Bleach residues in paper substrate
The underlying paper is bleached for whiteness; while FDA-approved, trace chlorine compounds are theoretically possible. Reynolds does not publish substrate sourcing or bleach chemistry details.
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 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.