Sappi Fine Papers · Butcher & Deli Paper
Greaseproof Sandwich Paper
Skip until composition disclosed; grease-resistant coatings often contain PFAS.
Greaseproof paper typically uses water- and grease-resistant coatings to repel food oils. Sappi does not disclose the coating chemistry, which raises concern since such treatments commonly contain PFAS or similar fluorinated compounds.
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
Paper with water/grease-resistant coating, composition 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
Sappi Fine Papers' greaseproof sandwich paper is paper with an applied water and grease-resistant coating, but the specific chemical composition of that coating is not publicly disclosed on product packaging or typical retailers. Grease-resistant food-contact coatings historically rely on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or wax-based formulations, each with different safety profiles. Without transparency on whether this product uses PFAS-free alternatives (such as clay, wax, or other barrier systems), the coating's safety cannot be independently verified. This opacity is the primary concern for food-contact applications.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sappi Fine Papers is a major international pulp and paper manufacturer but does not publicly maintain a dedicated food-safety or PFAS transparency statement specific to this product line. No certifications (such as GOTS, FDA formal approval, or PFAS-free claims) are widely advertised for their greaseproof sandwich paper. The brand has not issued recalls or public advisories regarding this product category. However, the absence of disclosure about coating chemistry is itself a red flag in an industry where PFAS-free alternatives are increasingly available and marketed.
How it compares in its category
Greaseproof food-wrapping papers vary widely in coating technology. Some brands (e.g., If You Care, Kirkland organic lines) explicitly state PFAS-free or wax-only coatings; others remain silent. Sappi's lack of disclosure places it in a middle-risk category alongside many conventional products. Uncoated parchment paper or certified PFAS-free alternatives are safer choices if your priority is avoiding synthetic chemical coatings entirely.
If you buy it
Use this product for room-temperature or cool food wrapping only; do not heat it in an oven, microwave, or direct contact with warm/hot foods, as unknown coatings may leach into food or release fumes under temperature stress. Replace after each use; do not reuse across multiple meals. Store in a cool, dry place away from oils and acidic foods (which can degrade coatings prematurely). If the paper feels sticky, discolored, or has odor, discard the package.
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
Fluorinated compounds (PFOA, PFOS, or newer PFAS replacements) are standard in many commercial greaseproof coatings to achieve water and grease resistance. Sappi has not disclosed whether this product contains PFAS or uses PFAS-free alternatives. Migration into food, especially fatty or acidic items, is a documented pathway for PFAS exposure in food-contact applications.
Unidentified coating migration into food
Because the coating chemistry is proprietary and undisclosed, potential leachables cannot be ruled out. Heating or prolonged contact with acidic foods (vinegar, citrus-based dressings) can accelerate migration of coating components into food.
Microparticle shedding from coating degradation
Paper coatings can flake or shed microscopically during handling, folding, or when exposed to moisture and oils. If the coating is synthetic polymer-based, shed particles could be ingested with food, though the health significance of trace amounts is unclear.
Thermal degradation fumes if heated
Most grease-resistant coatings are not designed for oven or high-heat use. If accidentally exposed to heat, synthetic coatings may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or decomposition byproducts. PFAS coatings pose particular concern under thermal stress.
Pulp sourcing and bleaching residues
Sappi is not known to have residual chlorine, dioxin, or heavy-metal contamination issues in published food-safety assessments. However, the pulp base itself is not certified organic or unbleached, so trace bleaching agent residues are theoretically possible, though regulatory limits would apply.
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.