Marcal · Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper
Marcal 100% Recycled Hardwound Roll Paper Towels
Lower concern. Unbleached recycled paper has minimal PFAS risk.
This 100% recycled hardwound paper towel is plain cellulose fiber with no stated water-resistant or grease-resistant treatment. Paper products pose lower PFAS risk unless treated with aqueous film-forming compounds.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
100% recycled paper fiber
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 or printing chemical transfer from recycled feedstock
Recycled paper may contain residues from prior printing inks or coatings on collected paper. These are present in minute quantities and are not typically absorbed by intact skin or transferred to dry foods, but theoretically possible in high-moisture food contact over extended periods.
Bacterial or mold growth during storage
Paper is biodegradable and hygroscopic; if stored in damp conditions, mold or bacterial colonization can occur before use. This is a storage and sanitation issue, not a chemical hazard inherent to the product.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Residual bleaching chemicals (chlorine, dioxins)
Unbleached recycled paper explicitly avoids chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide used in virgin-pulp whitening. No documented residue from prior bleaching in Marcal's recycled input stream has been reported or tested publicly.
Heavy metals
Recycled paper fiber can theoretically accumulate trace metals from mixed source waste; however, Marcal's product has no documented contamination or recall history. FDA oversight of paper for food contact is minimal, so independent testing data is unavailable.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Unbleached recycled paper products typically use minimal synthetic binders. No formaldehyde-release concerns have been identified for paper towels, which are not designed for prolonged moisture or heat exposure that would activate off-gassing.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Marcal's product is 100% post-consumer recycled paper fiber, meaning it comes from used paper collected and repulped rather than virgin wood. Recycled paper avoids the bleaching chemicals (chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide) used in virgin-pulp processing, which can leave trace residues like dioxins or chlorinated compounds. The unbleached characteristic of this product is a material advantage, it typically contains fewer synthetic chemical additives and brightening agents than white paper towels. Recycled fiber does not inherently accumulate heavy metals during its lifecycle, though the recycling input stream could theoretically include minor contamination from prior product uses; however, Marcal's product has no documented issues in this area.
The brand's record and disclosure
Marcal has a long-standing brand identity focused on environmental responsibility and recycled content, which has generally aligned with consumer expectations for lower-impact paper products. The brand does not publicly disclose detailed chemical safety testing or third-party certifications (such as NSF, Good Housekeeping, or similar) for this specific product line, nor has it released statements on PFAS testing or avoidance. No significant product recalls, contamination incidents, or safety controversies involving Marcal paper towels have been documented in public health records. The brand's silence on PFAS and processing chemicals is typical for the paper towel category, where regulatory scrutiny remains lower than for cookware or food storage containers.
How it compares in its category
Paper towels are inherently lower-risk than plastic food storage or ceramic cookware because they are single-use, non-absorbent in the sense of leaching, and do not undergo heating or prolonged food contact. Recycled paper towels specifically avoid virgin-pulp bleaching, which puts them ahead of standard white paper towels in terms of chemical additives. Marcal's unbleached, recycled approach is functionally equivalent to other eco-branded competitors (like seventh generation or Who Gives A Crap) in terms of established safety profiles, though direct head-to-head testing data is not publicly available. The main trade-off versus white towels is slightly lower absorbency, not safety.
If you buy it
Paper towels are designed for single use and disposal; there is no maintenance, heating, or reuse concern specific to this product. Store in a dry location to prevent mold or mildew growth, which can occur with any paper product exposed to high humidity. If used to wipe raw meat or other foods, discard after use and do not reuse; normal sanitation practices apply. The product carries no special storage warnings or shelf-life limits beyond standard paper degradation in damp conditions.
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
- Marcal has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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IDL Packaging
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Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
IDL Packaging
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Ink or printing residue (if printed side contacts food)
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Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
If You Care
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Mold or microbial growth if stored damp
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✓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.