Boardwalk · Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
Boardwalk Butcher Paper BWKB
Coating composition undisclosed; PFAS risk likely low but unconfirmed.
This kraft paper has a grease-resistant coating, but Kotkamills won't say what it contains. Verified PFAS-free alternatives are available if you want to be certain.
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 with grease-resistant coating (composition unspecified)
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.
Grease-resistant coating leaching (undisclosed formulation)
Kraft butcher papers typically use wax, silicone, or fluorine-based coatings to repel grease. Kotkamills does not disclose which, making it impossible to rule out migration of coating components into fatty foods or oils at room temperature or during freezing cycles.
PFAS
Fluorine-based water-repellent treatments on food contact paper are a known source of PFAS. Without coating composition disclosure, the presence or absence of PFAS cannot be confirmed; the undisclosed nature elevates concern relative to fully transparent competitors.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Microplastic or coating particle shedding
No reports of visible degradation or particle release from Boardwalk butcher paper during normal use. Kraft paper is inherently stable; risk would emerge only if coating visibly flakes or crumbles, which would trigger replacement.
Bleach residue in kraft paper
Kraft paper is typically unbleached or lightly bleached during pulping. Boardwalk BWKB appears unbleached based on standard product descriptions, so chlorine residue is not a documented concern in this product line.
Mold or bacterial contamination from moisture retention
Paper itself does not support bacterial growth if kept dry. Risk arises only from improper storage (wet environments) or reuse of saturated paper, both preventable through user practice.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Boardwalk Butcher Paper BWKB is kraft paper (cellulose fibers from wood pulp) with an applied grease-resistant coating of unspecified composition. The coating prevents meat juices and oils from penetrating the paper, extending shelf life and maintaining product presentation. Without disclosed ingredient information, the coating's exact chemistry cannot be fully assessed for leaching risk under typical refrigeration and freezing use. Kraft paper itself is food-safe; the risk profile depends entirely on the proprietary coating formulation.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kotkamills is a Finnish paper manufacturer with no documented controversies in food-packaging safety literature. The company does not publicly disclose the chemical composition of its grease-resistant coatings on consumer-facing product pages, which is common industry practice but limits third-party verification. No specific certifications (FDA compliance statements, migration testing data, or PFAS commitments) are readily available on product packaging or standard retail channels. This silence on coating chemistry reflects a broader industry pattern rather than a red flag unique to this brand.
How it compares in its category
Butcher paper is a standard, low-risk food-contact material compared to plastic films or coated cardboard. Most kraft butcher papers use similar proprietary grease-resistant coatings; Boardwalk BWKB is typical for this segment. Unbleached kraft alternatives exist but offer no documented safety advantage over this product. The main differentiator in this category is PFAS presence in coatings, which varies by manufacturer and is rarely disclosed at point of sale.
If you buy it
Use Boardwalk butcher paper for its intended purpose, wrapping fresh or frozen meat in refrigerated storage. Avoid prolonged contact with hot foods (above 60°C/140°F) before use, as heat can degrade coatings and increase leaching potential. Replace paper if it becomes heavily saturated, torn, or shows visible degradation. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture-induced mold growth on unused rolls.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 55% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Boardwalk 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.