Marcal · Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper
Marcal PRO 100% Recycled Folded Paper Towels
Lower concern. Recycled paper towels rarely use PFAS coatings.
This 100% recycled paper towel is plain cellulose fiber with no disclosed waterproof or grease-resistant coating. No brand PFAS claim or third-party verification exists, but paper towels are a low-risk category for PFAS use.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
100% recycled wood fiber paper
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.
Bleach residues and chlorine compounds
Recycled paper is de-inked using solvents and some residual chlorine from original virgin-pulp processing may persist; however, levels are not established as hazardous in food-contact use for dried products like paper towels.
Ink and toner particles (from recycled feedstock)
De-inking processes remove most inks, but trace mineral or organic pigment residues can remain in recycled pulp. Direct contact with wet food or skin is minimal risk; concern is primarily if deliberately ingested or used with heated fatty foods.
Mold and bacterial growth
Uncoated paper wicks moisture; if stored in damp conditions or left wet, mold and bacteria can colonize the roll. This is a use-environment hazard, not a manufacturing defect, and is preventable with dry storage.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Paper towel binders typically use non-formaldehyde wet-strength agents (urea-formaldehyde is phased out in most US production). No recalls or contamination reports exist for Marcal products on this basis.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Recycled paper may contain trace metals (cadmium, lead) from historic inks or additives, but food-contact paper is regulated under FDA rules and Marcal's compliance history is clean.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Marcal PRO is made from 100% post-consumer recycled wood fiber, meaning it skips the chlorine bleaching and virgin-pulp processing that introduces some contaminants in conventional paper towels. Recycled paper towels do undergo de-inking and cleaning to remove inks and coatings from source material, but this process is well-established and regulated. The finished product is uncoated paper (no plastic film or resin topcoat), so there is no Teflon-family coating leaching risk and minimal chemical migration into food or skin contact.
The brand's record and disclosure
Marcal has marketed its recycled content transparently for decades and holds certifications including Green Seal (environmental, not safety-specific) and FSC Chain of Custody for some product lines. The company does not publicly disclose detailed chemical safety testing results or PFAS methodology, which is typical for paper towel manufacturers but leaves questions unanswered. No major product recalls or chemical contamination incidents are on record for Marcal paper towels in the US market.
How it compares in its category
Recycled paper towels are chemically simpler than virgin-bleached alternatives because they avoid the chlorine dioxide and oxygen-based bleaching agents used in conventional production. They also sidestep the per-fluorinated chemical coatings sometimes added to premium virgin paper for strength or water repellency. Marcal sits in the mid-market safety tier, better than unregulated imported brands, equivalent to major competitors like Bounty or Scott in chemical safety, though less transparent about testing than some premium eco brands.
If you buy it
Paper towels are low-risk in normal use (wiping hands, spills, drying produce) because contact time is brief and they are not heated. Do not use as a direct food wrapper for hot or fatty foods; transfer to a plate or use unbleached parchment if contact with hot grease is expected. Store in a dry area to prevent mold growth if exposed to high humidity. Replace rolls promptly if visible mold or odor develops, though this is rare with proper storage.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% 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.