Whole Foods · Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
Reynolds Kitchens Butcher Paper with Slide Cutter
Butcher paper likely has grease-resistant treatment; composition unclear.
Butcher paper typically uses water and grease-resistant coatings, often wax or silicone-based. Reynolds does not disclose coating chemistry; PFAS risk cannot be ruled out without lab testing or manufacturer transparency.
The safe swap
Sam's Club
Member's Mark Heavy Duty Food Service Foil
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, 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
Reynolds Kitchens Butcher Paper is kraft paper, a mechanically processed cellulose product that is inherently food-safe and compostable. The product includes a grease-resistant coating (composition not disclosed by Reynolds or Whole Foods) applied to the paper surface to prevent oil and moisture penetration. This coating is the primary safety variable: manufacturers typically use either PFAS-based compounds (like PFOA alternatives) or wax-based treatments. The slide cutter is a simple mechanical tool and adds no chemical hazard.
The brand's record and disclosure
Reynolds Kitchens has not published transparency reports on PFAS use in food-contact papers or coating chemistry. Whole Foods Markets does not maintain a public PFAS restriction policy for private-label products. Neither brand has disclosed certification (e.g., FDA approval, migration testing) specific to this SKU. Reynolds as a company has faced no major recalls for butcher paper contamination, but lack of public disclosure is itself a transparency gap for consumers seeking alternatives to fluorinated coatings.
How it compares in its category
Standard butcher paper products (including competitors like Kirkland, store brands, and specialty producers) almost universally include grease-resistant coatings; uncoated kraft paper fails at its core function. This Reynolds product is typical in construction and price point. Some smaller brands and organic suppliers explicitly market wax or silicone coatings, but verification of those claims is difficult. The slide cutter adds convenience but does not differentiate safety profile.
If you buy it
Use this product for wrapping cooked meats and cheeses at room or refrigerator temperature without concern. Avoid direct contact with hot foods (above 150F) or fatty foods at high temperature, as heat accelerates any coating migration. Do not use as oven lining or for roasting. Replace every 1-2 years if stored opened in humid conditions; wrinkling or discoloration may indicate moisture breach. For long-term storage of fatty meats, consider vacuum-sealed bags as a secondary option.
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
Butcher paper grease resistance almost universally requires fluorochemical or wax treatment. Reynolds does not disclose which. If PFAS-based, migration into fatty foods is possible, especially if paper is heated or stored long-term with oily meats.
Chlorine bleaching residues in kraft paper
Kraft paper is typically bleached with chlorine-based agents. While most residues are removed during manufacturing, trace chlorine compounds can persist. At room temperature this poses minimal risk, but heating may release chlorinated organic compounds.
Coating migration into food
Any synthetic coating on food-contact paper can migrate in proportion to temperature, duration of contact, and fat content of the food. Reynolds does not publish migration test data for this specific product; FDA guidance allows some migration but does not require disclosure.
Mold or bacterial growth if stored improperly
No recorded contamination issues. Risk is low if stored in dry conditions. Humid storage can weaken coating integrity and encourage microbial growth on the paper itself, not in the food it wraps.
Ink or printing residues on the slide cutter
The cutter blade and housing are food-grade plastic or metal. No hazard reported. Ensure cutter is cleaned before first use if any manufacturing dust is visible.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 62% 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 Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
Sam's Club
Member's Mark Heavy Duty Food Service Foil
Aluminum foil
Lower concern. Plain aluminum foil typically PFAS-free.
⚠Risky category by default
Sam's Club
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
unbleached natural kraft paper
Lower concern. Uncoated paper unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Butcher Paper (generic/store brands)
Bryco Goods Pink Kraft Butcher Paper Roll 18 Inch x 175 Feet
kraft paper, uncoated or minimal coating
Lower concern; plain kraft paper has minimal PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
More grease-resistant 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.