Sappi Fine Papers · Butcher & Deli Paper
Grease-resistant Food Grade Waxed Kraft Deli Tissue Paper
Skip; grease-resistant coating likely contains PFAS, no disclosure.
Grease-resistant food-contact paper typically uses fluorochemical coatings for water and oil repellency. Sappi makes no public PFAS disclosure or testing claims for this product.
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, wax and grease-resistant coating (unspecified)
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
This product is kraft paper (made from wood pulp) with an applied wax and grease-resistant coating. The coating formulation is not disclosed by Sappi. Grease-resistant food-contact coatings historically relied on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) to repel oils; modern alternatives exist but require explicit manufacturer commitment. Since Sappi has not publicly committed to PFAS-free formulations or disclosed the coating chemistry, the coating's composition cannot be verified as safe.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sappi Fine Papers is a large international pulp and paper manufacturer with no publicly documented commitment to eliminating PFAS from food-contact products or transparency about coating ingredients. The company has not responded to industry pressure for fluorine-free grease barriers or published ingredient lists for coated papers. This silence contrasts with competitors who have explicitly switched to PFAS-free alternatives, making verification of safety claims impossible for consumers.
How it compares in its category
Most conventional deli papers and food-grade waxed kraft tissues (including those from larger manufacturers) have historically used PFAS-based coatings. However, leading alternatives now exist: unbleached kraft paper with beeswax or plant-based wax coatings, and papers explicitly certified PFAS-free by third parties. Some manufacturers (such as certain compostable food-wrap producers) now disclose PFAS-free status; Sappi's silence suggests no such commitment.
If you buy it
Do not use this product for items that will be heated (oven, microwave, or contact with hot foods above 60C), as heat can accelerate any coating degradation or leaching. Store in cool, dry conditions; do not reuse sheets. If used, reserve only for cold deli counter wrapping. Strongly consider switching to uncoated kraft, certified PFAS-free papers, or plant-wax alternatives where grease resistance is needed; these are now widely available from other suppliers.
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
Grease-resistant food-contact coatings have historically relied on perfluorinated compounds; Sappi's silence on ingredient disclosure and lack of public PFAS-free commitment make presence highly probable. Migration to food is possible, especially with fatty or acidic foods.
Coating degradation and leaching over time
Wax and synthetic polymer coatings on kraft paper can degrade with moisture, heat, or mechanical stress, potentially releasing coating fragments or residual solvents into food contact. No data on coating stability or migration testing for this specific Sappi product is publicly available.
Unidentified chemical residues from coating application
Without disclosed coating ingredients, manufacturing solvents, or cross-contamination controls, the risk of trace chemical residues (e.g., unreacted monomers, processing aids) cannot be assessed. Food-contact paper coatings should be validated for migration; no such validation is documented for this product.
Microplastic or coating particle shedding
Kraft paper with applied coatings can shed microscopic particles during handling or use, especially if the coating is brittle or poorly adhered. Heat or moisture exposure increases this risk; no durability or shedding data is available for this specific product.
Chlorine bleaching residues (if product is bleached)
If kraft paper substrate is bleached (common for bright 'food-grade' papers), residual chlorine or dioxins are possible but rare in modern production. Sappi does not specify whether this product is bleached; assume standard food-grade processing unless stated otherwise.
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.