Systempak · Butcher & Deli Paper
Norpak Grease Resistant Paper Sheet - 12 x 12 Red
Skip until coating is disclosed; grease-resistant coatings often contain PFAS.
Norpak product uses grease-resistant treatment on paper but does not disclose the coating chemistry. Grease-resistant food packaging commonly relies on PFAS-based Teflon-family coating; absence of a PFAS-free claim raises concern.
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
grease-resistant coated paper, 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 paper coated with an unspecified grease-resistant formulation. Grease resistance in food packaging is typically achieved through fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or, less commonly, wax or silicone coatings. Because Systempak does not disclose the coating type or chemistry, you cannot verify whether PFAS, legacy Teflon-family coating, or safer alternatives were used. The coating is the entire safety profile here; uncoated paper would pose no chemical hazard, but the coating's identity is hidden.
The brand's record and disclosure
Systempak maintains no publicly available disclosure on coating materials, certifications, or PFAS policy for this product line. No third-party safety certifications (such as FDA compliance statements or GOTS/OEKO-TEX equivalents for food packaging) are evident in accessible product documentation. The brand's silence on a known, contentious ingredient class signals either lack of transparency infrastructure or absence of differentiation from industry-standard PFAS formulations.
How it compares in its category
Most grease-resistant food papers still rely on PFAS-based coatings because they remain cost-effective and durable. Some manufacturers (e.g., Footprint, certain certified compostable paper brands) now market PFAS-free or PFAS-disclosed alternatives, though at higher cost. Norpak's lack of marketing around coating safety, combined with its commodity positioning, suggests this product likely contains legacy PFAS compounds rather than newer replacements. Transparency leaders in this category disclose coating type or carry third-party certification; Systempak does neither here.
If you buy it
If you proceed despite uncertainty, use this product only for ambient or cold storage (not microwave or oven heating, which may degrade the coating and release volatiles). Replace sheets after visible wear or staining, as coating damage increases leaching risk. Do not use for high-fat foods stored longer than a few hours. Consider this a short-term, single-use product; do not reuse or rinse and store. Switching to uncoated parchment, certified PFAS-free greaseproof paper, or glass/silicone storage alternatives eliminates this chemical risk entirely.
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 (reported separately)
Grease-resistant paper coatings are a known vector for legacy PFAS (especially PFOA, PFOS) and newer replacements (PFBS, GenX). Systempak's undisclosed formulation, combined with industry prevalence of PFAS in this application, makes PFAS presence statistically likely unless the brand has adopted and labeled a PFAS-free alternative.
Coating migration into high-fat foods
Fluorinated or silicone coatings can migrate into fatty foods (oils, butter, cheese) more readily than into dry or acidic foods. No migration data is available for this specific product; risk depends entirely on the unknown coating chemistry and food contact time/temperature.
Thermal degradation and volatile release
Heating coated food paper (microwave, oven, or direct flame contact) can degrade polymeric coatings and release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or fluorinated gases. This product is labeled for food contact but carries no heat-use guidance; misuse during cooking increases inhalation and ingestion risk.
Coating degradation and particulate shedding
Over time or with friction (crumpling, repeated use), grease-resistant coatings can flake or shed microscopic particles into food. With an unverified coating formula and no durability claims, the rate and safety profile of shedding are unknown.
Recycling contamination and downstream exposure
PFAS-coated paper entering recycling streams contaminates new paper and wastewater. Systempak provides no information on whether this product is recyclable or how its coating affects end-of-life disposal; assume it is destined for landfill or incineration.
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.