· Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
Waxed Butcher Paper
Lower concern, though ask the brand to verify wax source.
Waxed butcher paper typically uses mineral oil or paraffin wax, both traditionally low-PFAS options. The brand declines to detail PFAS treatment; traditional wax rarely requires PFAS, but confirm the wax source with the maker.
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
kraft paper with wax coating (mineral oil-based)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Waxed Butcher Paper is made of, ingredients and materials
Waxed butcher paper consists of kraft paper (cellulose fiber) coated with mineral oil-based wax. The wax layer provides grease and moisture barriers for raw meat and deli products without requiring synthetic coatings. Mineral oil wax is a petroleum derivative that is FDA-approved as a food-contact substance and does not leach into food under normal storage conditions at room temperature or brief refrigeration.
What’s concerning
Disclosed non-fluorinated coating
Coating is named and is not a fluorochemical (wax, paraffin, mink oil).
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.
Mineral oil migration under heat
Mineral oil wax is stable at refrigeration and room temperature but can soften above 140°F. No established food safety incident record for this product, but heating butcher paper in direct contact with hot food is not recommended by manufacturers.
Wax coating adhesion degradation over time
Extended storage or exposure to humidity may cause wax to crack or separate from kraft substrate, reducing barrier effectiveness. This is a functional concern rather than a toxicity risk but can allow product contamination.
PFAS
Mineral oil-based waxes are generally lower PFAS risk than Teflon-family coating coatings, but some mineral oil suppliers have been linked to PFAS contamination. The brand does not publish PFAS test data for this product; vendor certification is the only way to rule it out.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Recycled fiber contaminants (if recycled content)
Butcher paper composition (virgin vs. recycled) is not clearly disclosed on standard packaging. If recycled content is present, potential for trace printing inks or adhesives; no recalls or complaints on record for this product.
Ink or dye transfer (printed branding)
Butcher paper typically has minimal printing. Food-contact inks used on packaging paper are regulated, and no complaints or recalls exist for this product; risk is low but avoid contact of printed surfaces directly with food.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The brand is a major pulp and paper manufacturer owned by Koch Industries. The company has not published specific PFAS-free certifications for this product line, though it has faced scrutiny on PFAS in other paper products (notably food service packaging). Public disclosure on wax coating chemistry is minimal; the brand does not advertise PFAS testing results for butcher paper. Contact with their consumer service can clarify wax sourcing if PFAS-free status is a requirement.
How it compares in its category
Mineral oil-waxed butcher paper is standard in the food service category and presents lower concern than older bleached parchment or synthetic Teflon-family coating coatings that may contain PFAS. Unwaxed kraft paper offers no grease barrier; plastic-wrapped alternatives introduce microplastic and single-use waste concerns. This product occupies a middle ground, functional, relatively transparent in composition, but lacks third-party certification that would rule out PFAS entirely.
If you buy it
Use for cold and room-temperature storage of butcher items, deli meats, and baked goods. Do not expose to direct heat above 140°F (60°C) or use in ovens, as mineral wax can soften and may migrate slightly under high temperature. Replace sheets if wax becomes visibly worn, cracked, or separates from the paper. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent wax degradation.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% 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 Waxed Butcher 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.