Sappi Fine Papers · Butcher & Deli Paper
Butcher Paper Sheets
Butcher paper likely contains PFAS in grease-resistant treatment; skip if concerned.
Butcher paper typically uses fluorinated coatings for grease resistance, a known PFAS application. Sappi does not publicly disclose PFAS content or claim PFAS-free status.
The safe swap
Aplin Films
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
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
Kraft paper with grease-resistant 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
Sappi butcher paper is kraft paper, a cellulose product made from wood pulp, coated with a grease-resistant finish to prevent oil and moisture penetration during storage and transport of meat and fatty foods. The coating is typically fluorochemical (PFAS-based) or, less commonly, silicone or wax-based. Kraft paper itself is food-safe; the risk lies entirely in the coating chemistry and whether it migrates into food under heat or prolonged contact with fatty products.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sappi is a global pulp and paper manufacturer with ISO 9001 certification and food-contact compliance claims, but the company has not made public commitments to PFAS-free or PFAS-reduced coatings on food-contact papers. Product-specific documentation on coating composition is not readily available to consumers. Sappi's silence on PFAS in butcher paper reflects the broader industry practice of treating grease-resistant formulations as proprietary, leaving end-users unable to verify coating chemistry before purchase.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial butcher paper from major brands (Sappi, Georgia-Pacific, Unbleached) relies on fluorochemical coatings for grease resistance, making this product representative of the category standard rather than an outlier. Some specialty suppliers now offer wax-coated or silicone-coated alternatives marketed as PFAS-free, though these are less common in retail food-service channels. Uncoated kraft paper offers no grease barrier and is unsuitable for this use. The trade-off between grease protection and chemical safety remains unresolved at the market level.
If you buy it
Use Sappi butcher paper only for its intended purpose: wrapping raw or cooked meat at food-service temperatures (below 140°F for extended contact). Do not use in high-heat cooking or near direct flame, as heat may accelerate coating degradation and migration. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture-driven breakdown. If PFAS exposure is a household priority, request product-specific coating data from Sappi or consider switching to verified PFAS-free alternatives, even if less convenient.
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.”
Fluorochemical migration (PFAS)
Butcher paper coatings conventionally use perfluorinated compounds for grease resistance. Migration risk is highest with fatty foods and elevated temperatures. Sappi has not disclosed coating type, so PFAS presence should be assumed unless certified otherwise.
Bleach residues / chlorine compounds
Modern kraft paper production typically avoids heavy chlorine bleaching, but some whitened grades may retain trace peroxide or other bleach residues. Sappi's production standards are not public-facing for this product, so specific bleach protocols are unknown.
Ink or printing contamination
Sappi butcher paper sheets are typically unprinted on food-contact surfaces. If branding or lot numbers appear on the product, they should use food-safe inks; no recalls or issues are on record for this brand.
Microplastic or fiber shedding
Kraft paper fibers can shed slightly during handling, especially if the coating is damaged or during contact with wet or fatty foods. Shedding is not hazardous but may be undesirable for food presentation. Inspect sheets before use and discard visibly frayed samples.
Coating degradation and adhesion loss
Over time, particularly with exposure to moisture or oils, butcher paper coatings can peel or flake. Degraded coating is unlikely to be toxic but signals the paper is past usable life and should be replaced.
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 & Deli Paper
Aplin Films
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
Natural bleached kraft paper, no specified coating
Lower concern. Uncoated butcher paper unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Safeseal
IDL Packaging PFAS-Free Grease-Proof Paper Sheets
grease-proof paper with unspecified water/grease-resistant coating
Claim unverified; grease-proof coatings historically use PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Sappi Fine Papers
IDL Packaging PFAS-Free Grease-Proof Paper Sheets
paper with grease-resistant coating
Brand claims PFAS-free. No independent verification found. Proceed with caution.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More 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.