Marcal · Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper
Marcal 250HC Kitchen Roll Towels
Paper towels, lower concern. No known PFAS triggers detected.
These plain paper roll towels contain no waterproof, grease-resistant, or nonstick coating disclosed. Bare paper pulp carries lower PFAS risk than treated paper products.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
virgin paper fibers, no stated coating
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.
Microplastic generation
Paper towel fibers can shed lint or micro-particles during use, particularly when wet; however, these are cellulose-based and biodegradable, not synthetic microplastics. Risk is negligible for typical kitchen cleanup applications.
Bacterial or mold growth during storage
Paper towels can harbor bacteria or mold if stored in humid, warm, or damp conditions before or after opening. This is a storage/use issue rather than a manufacturing hazard and is easily mitigated by keeping rolls dry.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Bleaching residue (chlorine dioxide)
Virgin paper products typically undergo chlorine-based bleaching during pulping; however, residual chlorine compounds are neutralized or volatilized during manufacturing and are not present at detectable or hazardous levels in finished paper towels per standard industry practices and regulatory monitoring.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Kitchen paper towels do not require formaldehyde-releasing resins (used in some tissue products for wet-strength). Marcal 250HC is not marketed as wet-strength tissue and does not list formaldehyde-donor chemistry on available materials.
Source, ATSDR ↗Ink or print contaminants (if printed)
Marcal 250HC does not appear to feature printed designs on the paper itself (typical kraft or white unprinted rolls). If printing is present, FDA-regulated food-contact inks would be required, which carry minimal migration risk for a cleanup product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Marcal 250HC Kitchen Roll Towels are made from virgin paper fibers without stated chemical coatings or bleaching agents of concern. The '250HC' designation indicates higher capacity per roll rather than chemical additives. Virgin (non-recycled) paper eliminates contamination risks from post-consumer waste streams, though it does not guarantee absence of processing residues like chlorine dioxide (used in bleaching) that typically volatilize or are neutralized during manufacturing and do not remain in finished paper at hazardous levels.
The brand's record and disclosure
Marcal is owned by Greenridge Brands and holds Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for responsible forestry sourcing. The brand does not publicly advertise PFAS-free status, and Marcal has not disclosed specific chemical processing details on packaging or corporate materials. No major safety recalls or contamination incidents have been publicly reported for this product line. The company's silence on PFAS reflects industry-wide lack of transparency rather than a known problem with kitchen paper.
How it compares in its category
Marcal 250HC is a mainstream virgin-paper kitchen roll comparable to store-brand and name-brand equivalents (Bounty, Scott). Most kitchen paper towels carry similar low chemical risk profiles because they are not designed to contact food directly and are intended for cleanup only. Some premium or eco-labeled alternatives (e.g., unbleached kraft or bamboo) may reduce processing chemical exposure, but safety differences are marginal. The 250HC's higher sheet count does not alter safety profile.
If you buy it
Kitchen paper towels are low-risk for chemical leaching because they do not contact hot food or liquids for extended periods. Store rolls in a dry location away from direct heat or steam to prevent mold or mildew growth, which can occur on damp paper. Replace the roll if visible discoloration, odor, or dampness develops. No special handling precautions are needed; standard kitchen use poses negligible exposure risk.
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.
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.