· Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper
Natural Kraft Paper Roll
Lower concern. Bare kraft paper rarely requires PFAS treatment.
Natural kraft paper is cellulose-based with no evident water or grease barrier coating. Bare kraft lacks typical PFAS triggers.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
kraft paper, unbleached cellulose
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.
Ink and printing residues (if printed)
Some kraft rolls carry printed branding or labeling using water-based or soy inks; heavy metals (lead, cadmium) in pigments are regulated but not always tested by suppliers. Verify ink safety certification if direct food contact is intended.
Microorganism growth (storage-dependent)
Paper is hygroscopic and can support mold, bacteria, or insects if stored in humid or warm conditions. This is a use and storage issue, not inherent to the product material.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Mineral oil and processing residues
Kraft pulping uses minimal additives compared to coated papers. No established reports of mineral oil or solvent residues in unbleached kraft rolls from reputable manufacturers.
Chlorine residues
Unbleached kraft explicitly avoids chlorine bleaching. Bleached alternatives would carry trace dioxins or other chlorine byproducts; this product does not.
Dioxins and furans
These are byproducts of chlorine bleaching. Unbleached kraft paper production does not use chlorination and has no reported dioxin contamination in food-contact applications.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Natural kraft paper is produced from wood pulp via the kraft process, which uses mechanical and chemical pulping without bleaching agents. This product contains cellulose fibers, lignin, and minimal additives. Unbleached formulations avoid chlorine-based bleaching residues and optical brighteners, making them chemically simpler than whitened alternatives. The brown color and texture are natural byproducts of minimal processing.
The brand's record and disclosure
International Paper is a major global kraft producer with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, indicating quality and environmental management systems. The company does not publicly disclose PFAS content or testing for kraft paper rolls, but this silence reflects typical industry practice rather than known concealment. No major recalls or contamination incidents are on record for their unbleached kraft paper in food contact applications. Third-party certifications (e.g., FSC, compostability) are product-line dependent and should be verified on packaging.
How it compares in its category
Unbleached kraft paper shows lower chemical concern than bleached white kraft, coated papers, or recycled grades for food-contact applications. Bleached alternatives carry residual chlorine compounds and brightening agents; recycled papers risk de-inking solvent residues. Natural kraft sits between plastic films (PFAS and migration risk) and compostable films (variable additives). For short-contact dry foods, it is the baseline low-hazard choice.
If you buy it
Use kraft paper for ambient-temperature dry foods (flour, grains, baked goods) or as a wrapping layer; avoid prolonged contact with fatty or acidic foods, which accelerate minor cellulose breakdown and odor transfer. Do not use in microwave or as a cooking surface; kraft paper has low thermal tolerance (flash point around 450 degrees Fahrenheit). Store rolls in dry conditions to prevent mold; replace if visible discoloration, mold, or musty smell develops. Compost used paper if certified compostable; otherwise recycle.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% 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.
Better-graded alternatives in Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper
IDL Packaging
White Butcher Paper 18" x Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
bleached paper, uncoated
Mold or microbial growth during storage
Limited concern
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
IDL Packaging
White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
bleached kraft paper, no specified coating
Ink or printing residue (if printed side contacts food)
Limited concern
Mold or microbial growth during storage
Limited concern
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
If You Care
Parchment Baking Sheets
unbleached parchment paper, silicone coating
Silicone coating degradation under heat stress
Limited concern
Mold or microbial growth if stored damp
Limited concern
Brand no-added-PFAS claim and a 2021 lab result with no fluorine detected.
✓Lab test found no PFAS
More grease-resistant deli & butcher 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.