Applegate · Deli Meat & Cold Cuts Packaging
Applegate Naturals Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
Skip or call Applegate to learn about coating chemistry and PFAS.
Applegate provides no public information about PFAS or packaging coatings for this product. Plastic film wrapping typically includes grease-resistant treatment, a common place PFAS appears in food packaging.
The safe swap
Boar's Head
Boar's Head Charcuterie & Cheese
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Good.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Plastic film package with grease-resistant coating (likely food contact surface)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
PFAS
Plastic film coating chemistry is not disclosed. Grease-resistant deli meat coatings have historically used PFAS compounds (e.g., polyfluoroalkyl substances) to prevent oil migration. Without manufacturer confirmation or third-party testing data on record, PFAS presence cannot be ruled out.
Source: ATSDR ↗Unidentified food contact coating leachables
The specific grease-resistant coating formulation is proprietary and not public. Potential for minor migration of coating components into fatty meat product over storage time is inherent to the packaging design, though FDA-approved food contact materials are formulated to remain below established migration limits.
Sodium content (product formulation, not packaging)
Deli turkey breast is a cured meat product with high sodium content (typically 400-600 mg per 2 oz serving). This is a formulation hazard, not packaging-related, but relevant to repeated consumption risk for sodium-sensitive populations.
Processed meat classification (product formulation, not packaging)
WHO and IARC classify processed meats as a carcinogen when consumed in high frequency. This is inherent to the deli meat category and applies equally to Applegate and competitors; not specific to this brand or package.
Plastic film degradation if mishandled
If stored above recommended temperature or punctured, the film coating may degrade or separate from the substrate, accelerating contact between the meat and polymer, though risk of health impact remains low under normal retail and home conditions.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Applegate Naturals Oven Roasted Turkey Breast is packaged in a plastic film with a grease-resistant coating, a standard practice in deli meat packaging to prevent oil migration and product degradation. The coating chemistry is not disclosed on packaging or public brand materials. Grease-resistant food contact coatings historically relied on PFAS (perfluorinated compounds) to repel oils, though newer alternatives exist. Without specific coating composition disclosure, the product's non-PFAS status cannot be verified from available public sources.
The brand's record and disclosure
Applegate is owned by Hormel Foods and markets products under a 'natural' positioning, but does not publicly disclose food contact material chemistry or commit to PFAS-free packaging on its website or product labeling. The brand has not issued transparency statements specific to grease-resistant coating composition in deli packaging. Applegate has not been the subject of documented recalls or enforcement actions tied to packaging leachables, but silence on coating chemistry is a disclosure gap relative to consumer right-to-know on food contact materials.
How it compares in its category
Most conventional deli meats (Boar's Head, Oscar Mayer, Hormel) use similar plastic film packaging with proprietary grease-resistant coatings and offer no public coating transparency. Organic and 'natural' deli brands (Applegate, Diestel) do not distinguish themselves by packaging safety disclosure. Some specialty retailers (Whole Foods deli counters) offer loose-sliced turkey without film packaging, eliminating coating exposure entirely, though with shorter shelf life. Applegate's positioning does not reflect packaging material safety as a differentiator.
If you buy it
Store in the original sealed package at 32-40F and use within 7-10 days of opening per USDA guidance, as with all deli meats. Do not heat the meat while still in the film; transfer to a plate or container before reheating. Limit direct, prolonged contact between the coating and fatty meat surfaces by consuming promptly after opening. If coating transparency is important to your household, contact Applegate customer service at 1-800-365-1655 or applegate.com to request specific confirmation of PFAS-free status and coating material name before committing to regular purchase.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Applegate has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Deli Meat & Cold Cuts Packaging
Oscar Mayer
Smoked Ham & Turkey Sub Kit
plastic film wrapper; likely PE or PP film
Plastic film leaching under heating
Limited concern
Pathogenic bacterial growth if seal compromised
Moderate concern
Lower concern for food item, but packaging PFAS risk is modest and not ruled out.
⚠Risky category by default
Boar's Head
Charcuterie & Cheese Tray
food (charcuterie, cheese); cardboard/plastic tray substrate
Microplastics
Limited concern
Mold or bacterial growth on packaging (if dampness occurs)
Limited concern
Chemical preservatives in the meat itself (not packaging)
Moderate concern
Low concern for PFAS in the food itself, though tray coating unknown.
⚠Risky category by default
Boar's Head
Charcuterie & Cheese
plastic film (vacuum-sealed package)
PFAS
Limited concern
Listeria and bacterial contamination
Moderate concern
Sodium nitrite residues in meat (food additive, not material)
Limited concern
Lower concern for the product, but packaging coating PFAS content unverified.
⚠Risky category by default
More deli meat & cold cuts packaging 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.