Amazon Basics · Parchment Paper & Baking Liners
Amazon Basics Parchment Paper
Parchment paper carries moderate PFAS concern due to silicone coatings; Amazon discloses nothing.
Standard parchment like Amazon Basics relies on silicone or other coatings to achieve heat and grease resistance. These coatings may contain PFAS or PFAS alternatives, but Amazon offers no public disclosure of coating composition or PFAS status.
The better-graded swap
If You Care
Parchment Baking Sheets
90/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
silicone-coated paper
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Silicone-coated parchment papers commonly contain PFAS "forever chemicals" to achieve water and grease repellency. Amazon provides no disclosure; testing would be required to confirm presence in this specific product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and particle release
Silicone coatings on parchment degrade with repeated heating and physical stress, releasing micro-particles into food. No specific testing of Amazon Basics is on record, but this is well-documented for the product class.
Thermal stability above 420F
Silicone coatings may begin to break down or off-gas at temperatures above manufacturer guidance. Accidental exposure to broiler or very hot oven surfaces could accelerate this risk.
What’s reassuring
Bleach and processing chemicals in paper substrate
Parchment paper substrate is typically bleached and processed, but no specific hazardous residues are documented as retained in food contact for this brand or category.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Modern parchment paper manufacturing does not typically involve formaldehyde treatment; PFAS and silicone degradation are the primary chemical concerns, not dioxins.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Amazon Basics parchment paper is paper substrate coated with silicone, the industry standard for non-stick baking liners. Silicone itself is considered chemically inert at normal baking temperatures (below 420F). However, fluorine-based compounds (PFAS) are sometimes used in the manufacturing or finishing process to improve water and grease resistance on the paper surface itself. The coating can degrade over repeated heating and physical wear, potentially releasing particles into food.
The brand's record and disclosure
Amazon Basics provides no public ingredient disclosure, safety certifications, or transparency regarding PFAS content or manufacturing standards for this product. The brand has not published statements on PFAS use or phase-out plans. No third-party certifications (FDA approval, FSC, or similar) are advertised on packaging or product listings. This silence is typical for budget cookware lines but limits consumer ability to assess chemical safety.
How it compares in its category
Most silicone-coated parchment papers carry similar PFAS risk; this is an industry-wide issue, not unique to Amazon Basics. Unbleached or certified organic parchment options exist but cost more and may still contain fluorinated compounds. Alternatives like reusable silicone baking mats or ceramic-coated parchment reduce PFAS exposure but have different trade-offs. Amazon Basics is mid-market priced and performs similarly to store brands from other retailers.
If you buy it
Do not exceed 420F (manufacturer guidance for most parchment); higher heat accelerates coating breakdown. Replace sheets after 10-15 uses or if surface is visibly worn, torn, or discolored. Do not reuse for multiple high-heat cycles. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to slow silicone degradation. Consider limiting use to occasional baking rather than routine daily cooking to reduce cumulative PFAS and particle exposure.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 62% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Amazon Basics has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Parchment Paper & Baking Liners
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Parchment Baking Paper
bleached paper with undisclosed grease-resistant coating
Coating degradation and leaching
Limited concern
Brand no-added-PFAS claim and a 2021 lab result with no fluorine detected.
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bleached paper with silicone coating
Paper degradation and fragmentation
Limited concern
Brand no-added-PFAS claim and a 2021 lab result with no fluorine detected.
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unbleached paper with silicone coating
Silicone coating degradation at high heat
Limited concern
Brand no-added-PFAS claim and a 2021 lab result with no fluorine detected.
✓Lab test found no PFAS
More parchment paper & baking liners 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.