Staples · Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
Staples Butcher Paper Roll
Lower concern. Food-contact butcher paper rarely uses PFAS coatings.
Kraft paper with wax or food-grade silicone coating makes up this butcher paper. Koppers provides no PFAS disclosure, though traditional butcher paper carries minimal PFAS risk.
The better-graded swap
IDL Packaging
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
95/100 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, likely silicone-coated or wax-treated
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.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Coating leachables (unknown composition)
Koppers does not publicly disclose whether the coating is silicone, wax, or a mixed formulation. If silicone-based, leaching into fatty foods is theoretically possible but FDA-cleared food-contact silicones have low migration. If wax-treated, composition (paraffin vs synthetic) is not specified.
What’s reassuring
Microplastics
No reports of microplastic shedding from standard food-contact butcher paper. Coating wear over time is cosmetic rather than a shedding hazard if stored and used correctly.
Source, EPA ↗Chlorine residues or dioxins from bleaching
Kraft pulp used in food-contact paper is typically not bleached with chlorine, and Koppers does not advertise chlorine bleaching. No public data suggests dioxin contamination in this product line.
Mineral oil or petroleum residues
Some butcher papers are treated with mineral oil as a release agent. Koppers does not disclose this in public materials, and food-contact mineral oils are generally recognized as safe by FDA when properly refined.
Adhesive or ink residues on edges
Roll edges may be sealed with adhesive or printing; these do not contact food directly and pose negligible risk if rolls are unrolled cleanly before wrapping food.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Staples/Koppers butcher paper is kraft paper (wood pulp) treated with a top coating, likely silicone or food-grade wax, to provide grease and moisture resistance for raw meat wrapping. Kraft paper itself is inert and widely used in food service. The coating formulation is not publicly disclosed by Koppers, but food-contact butcher papers in this category are FDA-cleared materials and do not typically require bleaching or heavy chemical treatment.
The brand's record and disclosure
Koppers is a specialty materials manufacturer with a long history in food packaging; no major recalls or safety controversies involving butcher paper rolls are on public record. The company does not publicly disclose detailed coating chemistry or third-party testing for this product. Staples does not market this product with specific safety certifications beyond implicit FDA food-contact compliance.
How it compares in its category
Butcher paper rolls are a commodity product with minimal differentiation. Koppers/Staples sits in the mainstream mid-tier, comparable to store brands and other commercial rolls, below specialty organic or plastic-free alternatives that may command higher prices. Most brands in this category do not disclose coating details, making direct comparison difficult.
If you buy it
Store rolls in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent coating degradation. Use for raw meat, fish, and deli items as intended; avoid prolonged contact with acidic foods (vinegar, citrus) that may degrade the coating. Replace rolls if you notice visible wear, discoloration, or a rancid smell. Do not use for direct grilling or extended high-heat contact; the paper and coating are not designed for direct flame.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 62% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Staples has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
IDL Packaging
White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
unbleached natural kraft paper
Mold or microbial growth
Limited concern
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Gordon Paper
Butcher Paper
kraft paper, bleached sulfate pulp
Fiber shedding and ingestion
Limited concern
Lower concern; uncoated butcher paper has minimal PFAS risk.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
36" - Unbleached Butcher Paper Rolls - 1/Roll
unbleached kraft paper, no disclosed coating
Mold or bacterial growth on stored rolls
Limited concern
Fiber shedding into fatty foods
Limited concern
Lower risk due to lack of grease-resistant treatment.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
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.