Sappi Fine Papers · Butcher & Deli Paper
Greaseproof Paper
Skip until brand discloses grease-resistant coating chemistry
Greaseproof paper requires water and grease repellency, commonly achieved with PFAS-based coatings. Sappi makes no public PFAS disclosure. Without certification or testing data, risk is moderate to elevated.
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
Cellulose 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 greaseproof paper is cellulose-based with an applied grease-resistant coating to prevent oil and fat penetration. The cellulose itself is inert and food-safe; the risk lies entirely in the coating chemistry. Sappi has not publicly disclosed whether this coating uses PFAS compounds (like Teflon-type coating or fluorinated waxes) or non-fluorinated alternatives (silicone, wax blends, or saturated hydrocarbon resins). Without this disclosure, the safety profile of the coating remains uncertain.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sappi is a major global pulp-and-paper manufacturer but maintains silence on PFAS use in food-contact coatings across its product range. The company has not published sustainability reports or safety data sheets that specify grease-resistant coating chemistry. This lack of transparency is notable given industry-wide scrutiny of PFAS in food packaging since 2019. Consumers seeking certified PFAS-free papers will find no public assurance from Sappi for this product.
How it compares in its category
Greaseproof paper is standard in food service and home baking. Competitors like Unbleached and some EU-branded alternatives increasingly disclose PFAS-free or mineral-oil-based coatings. Parchment paper (silicone-coated) and beeswax wraps are PFAS-free alternatives but differ in heat tolerance and reusability. Sappi's product lacks the transparency markers (third-party certification, explicit PFAS-free claims) that now differentiate safer greaseproof options in the market.
If you buy it
Use for room-temperature or low-heat food contact only (under 200°F/93°C); avoid direct flame or oven use above this threshold to minimize any coating migration risk. Replace rolls annually or when the paper shows tearing, discoloration, or loss of grease resistance, as degraded coating is more likely to leach. Store in a cool, dry place away from acidic foods (vinegar, citrus), which can degrade coatings over time. If PFAS concern is high priority, switch to brands with explicit PFAS-free certification (e.g., If You Care, Kirkland Organic) pending Sappi disclosure.
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
Sappi has not disclosed coating chemistry; fluorinated compounds are common in industrial greaseproofing but may or may not be used here. Uncertainty warrants precaution until brand provides specification data sheets.
Coating leaching under heat or acid stress
Unspecified coating formulations may degrade or migrate when exposed to high temperature, oily foods, or acidic contact. Risk is low at normal use temperatures but increases if paper is reheated or used above manufacturer limits.
Microparticle shedding from worn paper
Degraded or torn greaseproof paper can shed cellulose fibers and coating fragments into food. This is a mechanical rather than chemical hazard but warrants regular replacement of worn rolls.
Chlorine residues from bleaching (if paper is chlorine-bleached)
Sappi does not specify bleaching method for this product; most conventional greaseproof papers use elemental chlorine-free (ECF) or totally chlorine-free (TCF) processing. No known contamination reports, but verification is not publicly available.
Heavy metals in pigments or sizing additives
Food-contact papers are typically free of heavy-metal pigments by regulatory standards, but Sappi provides no published testing data or third-party certification for this product line.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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.