Whole Foods · Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
Traeger BBQ Butcher Paper Roll
Grease-resistant butcher paper likely contains PFAS. Avoid if concerned.
Traeger butcher paper has water and grease resistance typical of PFAS-treated food packaging. No disclosed PFAS information or testing available from brand.
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 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
This is kraft paper (wood pulp) coated with a grease-resistant polymer layer. The coating is almost certainly a fluorochemical formulation, as that is the industry standard for butcher paper that repels oils and moisture without leaching. Kraft paper itself is inert, but the grease-resistant finish is where chemical concern arises. The paper is designed for high-temperature use (wrapping hot meat, smoking), which can accelerate any coating migration into fatty foods.
The brand's record and disclosure
Traeger and Whole Foods do not publicly disclose coating chemistry or PFAS status for this product. Neither brand has published commitments to PFAS-free food packaging, and no third-party testing or recalls are on record for this specific SKU. Whole Foods has faced scrutiny on plastics and packaging transparency but has not formally addressed fluorochemical coatings in paper products.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial butcher paper rolls use fluorochemical coatings for grease resistance. PFAS-free alternatives exist (silicone-coated or untreated kraft papers) but are less common in retail. This product sits in the mainstream category where PFAS use is presumed but unconfirmed. Uncoated butcher kraft paper and parchment paper are lower-risk alternatives if you want to avoid the coating question entirely.
If you buy it
Use for wrapping cooled or room-temperature meats if PFAS concern is high; for hot smoking or wrapping, brief contact (minutes) is lower-risk than prolonged contact with warm fats. Store rolls in a dry, cool place to avoid moisture that may degrade the coating. Do not use in direct contact with acidic foods or high heat (above 420F) for extended periods. If PFAS avoidance is a priority, switch to uncoated kraft or silicone-coated alternatives.
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.”
Fluorochemical coating (presumed PFAS)
Grease-resistant butcher paper almost universally uses fluorochemical polymers as the water and oil repellent. No specific testing on this product exists in public domain, but the coating chemistry class carries known PFAS risk, especially under heat and fatty food contact.
Coating migration into fatty foods
Kraft paper coatings can migrate into high-fat meats and oils, particularly when paper is warm or in prolonged contact. Risk is higher during smoking or wrapping hot meat than for cold storage.
Ink or printing residues
No recalls or complaints documented for ink leaching from Traeger branded butcher paper. Kraft rolls typically have minimal printing; any that exists would be on the outer surface, not food-contact side.
Microplastics or fiber shedding
Kraft paper does not shed microplastics as it is cellulose-based, not synthetic polymer. Fiber shedding during use is not a documented concern for this product category.
Chlorine bleach residues
Most commercial butcher paper uses oxygen or ECF (elemental chlorine-free) bleaching. No specific data on Traeger's sourcing, but chlorine residues are not a typical hazard for food-grade butcher paper.
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 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.