Zoro Select · Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper
Zoro Select Kraft Paper 12 inch 900 Ft. 40 Lb. Basis Weight 900 ft. 12"
Lower concern. Plain kraft paper roll unlikely to contain PFAS.
Standard kraft roll from International Paper with no water-resistant coating mentioned. Bare kraft lacks PFAS triggers unless treated for grease resistance, which isn't indicated.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Kraft paper, unbleached or minimally processed 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.
Mineral oil or paraffin coatings
Some kraft paper food-wrapping products include light mineral oil or paraffin coating for grease resistance; International Paper does not publicly disclose coating status for this grade, so presence cannot be ruled out without product specification sheet review.
Microbial contamination (post-purchase)
Paper is hygroscopic and can harbor mold or bacteria if stored in damp conditions; this is a use-environment risk, not a manufacturing defect, and is reversible with proper dry storage.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Ink or printing residues
This product is listed as unprinted plain kraft; no known reports of pigment or ink contaminants in plain rolls from International Paper. Risk would apply only if the specific roll sourced includes printed branding or date codes.
Chlorine bleach or optical brightener residues
Unbleached kraft paper explicitly avoids the chlorine-based bleaching and fluorescent brightening agents used in white kraft, eliminating this migration pathway.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Kraft pulping does not typically use formaldehyde-releasing resins; the kraft process itself is lignin-based and does not require urea-formaldehyde or melamine-formaldehyde binders.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This is unbleached kraft paper, made from wood pulp processed using the kraft method, which involves minimal chemical treatment compared to bleached papers. Kraft paper's lignin content (the natural binder in wood) gives it strength and brown color without synthetic additives. For food contact, the key concern is whether processing chemicals or coatings migrate into food; unbleached kraft typically avoids the chlorine bleach and optical brighteners found in white papers, reducing chemical leachate risk.
The brand's record and disclosure
International Paper is a major commodity paper manufacturer with no public PFAS disclosure or transparency reports specific to kraft paper food-contact grades. The company has not faced documented food-safety recalls tied to kraft paper products. However, International Paper's general silence on food-contact coatings and processing chemicals means verification of per-roll specifications relies on indirect industry standards rather than brand transparency.
How it compares in its category
Unbleached kraft paper presents lower concern in food wrapping compared to bleached kraft, coated papers, or plastic-lined alternatives because it avoids synthetic brighteners and coatings. The 40-pound basis weight is standard for general wrapping and is not associated with higher chemical load than lighter grades. This product sits at the lower-risk end of paper packaging due to minimal processing; specialty food papers with barrier coatings or recycled content can introduce higher contamination vectors.
If you buy it
Use for wrapping dry goods, baked goods, and room-temperature foods; avoid prolonged contact with fatty or acidic foods, which can accelerate minor lignin leaching. Store the roll in dry conditions to prevent mold growth and moisture damage. Do not use as a heat-resistant barrier for oven cooking above 400°F; kraft paper can char or decompose. Replace if visible discoloration, mold, or odor develops, though a 900-foot roll at household use rates typically has multi-year shelf life.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Zoro Select 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.