· Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
Butcher Freezer Paper
Moderate concern. Grease-resistant coating requires PFAS verification.
Standard butcher freezer paper typically uses polyethylene or wax coatings for moisture and grease resistance. Manufacturers rarely disclose PFAS use.
The better-graded swap
If You Care
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
paper with polyethylene and wax coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Butcher Freezer Paper is made of, ingredients and materials
Butcher freezer paper consists of kraft paper laminated with a polyethylene layer and typically a wax or synthetic coating on one side to repel moisture and grease. The polyethylene backing prevents freezer burn and ice crystal formation on meat. The grease-resistant surface coating is the primary source of uncertainty regarding PFAS content, as many commercial freezer papers use per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances to achieve water and oil repellency, though some manufacturers have begun substituting alternatives with lower fluorochemical concern.
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
Fluorinated coatings on freezer paper are a known PFAS application in food contact materials. No public testing or recall data exists for store-brand freezer paper, but the grease-resistant finish is the likely vector if PFAS is present. This hazard is addressed separately in PFAS grading (25/100 = moderate concern).
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastics
If the polyethylene or wax coating fractures during freezer storage or handling, small particles may transfer to meat surfaces. Risk is low if paper remains intact; inspect before use and replace damaged rolls.
Source, EPA ↗Wax leaching at elevated temperatures
Paraffin or synthetic wax used in some freezer papers can migrate into fatty foods if the paper contacts food during cooking or high-heat thawing. Use coated side outward (away from food contact) and do not use for oven wrapping above 140°F.
What’s reassuring
Adhesive residue or ink from printed side
Store-brand freezer paper typically uses food-safe inks and minimal adhesives on the printed (outer) side. No recalls or contamination reports are on record for major retailers' freezer paper lines.
Bacterial or mold growth if moisture trapped during storage
Freezer paper itself does not harbor pathogenic growth when used correctly at freezing temperatures. Risk arises only from improper thawing or cross-contamination during wrapping, not from the product material.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Major store brands (Kroger, Safeway, etc.) typically do not publish detailed ingredient or coating composition for freezer paper. None of the major retailers maintain public PFAS reduction commitments specific to their freezer paper lines, and direct inquiries to customer service rarely yield substantive answers about fluorinated coatings. This silence is common across the category and does not indicate contamination, but reflects low consumer transparency in commodity food packaging.
How it compares in its category
Store-brand freezer paper is functionally equivalent to name-brand alternatives (Reynolds, Kirkland) and sits at the lower cost end with identical material architecture. Most competitors in this category use similar polyethylene plus wax or coating systems; few publicly disclose PFAS status. Butcher paper without coating (unbleached kraft) and vacuum-seal bags are alternatives with lower PFAS risk but trade off ease of use and moisture barrier performance.
If you buy it
Use freezer paper only in its intended application, wrapping raw meat, poultry, and fish for freezer storage at 0°F or below. Do not allow the coated side to contact food during cooking or heating above 140°F, as polymer degradation or coating leaching may occur. Replace rolls annually or immediately if the coating shows cracks, separation, or visible wear. Before purchase, contact the store brand customer service to request written confirmation of PFAS-free status in the coating; if unavailable, consider alternatives.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 55% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Butcher Freezer Paper?
IDL Packaging
White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
- unbleached natural kraft paper
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Mold or microbial growth
- unbleached parchment paper, silicone coating
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Silicone coating degradation under heat stress
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Silicone-coated parchment paper
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Silicone coating degradation at high heat
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.