Natural Value · Parchment Paper & Baking Liners
King Arthur Baking Natural Half-Sheet Baking Parchment Paper
Parchment paper coating origin unspecified; moderate PFAS risk remains uncertain.
King Arthur's product uses a water-resistant coating on paper, likely silicone or wax-based. No PFAS disclosure or testing data publicly available, leaving risk level unconfirmed.
The safe swap
Seventh Generation
Parchment Baking Sheets | 3 x 24 sheets
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Good.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
paper with silicone and/or wax coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
PFAS
Unspecified coating composition means non-fluorinated silicone or wax components could migrate into fatty or acidic foods under high heat; risk is typical for parchment but unquantified for this product.
Source: ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and particle shedding
Repeated use, creasing, or exposure to temperatures above manufacturer limits may cause the coating to flake; no durability data provided by brand.
What’s reassuring
Bleaching agents or optical brighteners in paper base
No public reports of concerning levels in King Arthur parchment; food-contact parchment is generally chlorine-free-processed or minimally bleached, but not independently verified here.
Microplastics
Parchment paper base is cellulose (not plastic), so microplastic risk is low unless silicone coating degrades into fine particles under extreme conditions, which is not documented.
Source: EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
King Arthur Natural Half-Sheet Parchment is paper substrate coated with silicone and/or wax to create a non-stick, heat-resistant surface. The specific composition of the coating, whether it contains fluorinated compounds (PFAS) for durability or relies on non-fluorinated silicone, is not disclosed by the brand. Parchment paper is generally regarded as safe for oven use up to around 420-450°F, but coating integrity and leaching risk depend entirely on the coating chemistry, which remains opaque for this product.
The brand's record and disclosure
Natural Value (the manufacturer) does not publicly specify whether its parchment coating contains PFAS or disclose third-party testing. The brand has not issued statements addressing forever chemicals in its products, and no formal certifications (e.g., PFAS-free, compostable, or food-contact compliance audits) are prominently documented. This silence is notable in a category where competitors increasingly highlight non-fluorinated alternatives and transparent sourcing.
How it compares in its category
Parchment paper as a category carries inherent PFAS risk because manufacturers historically used fluorinated compounds to achieve heat and grease resistance. Some brands (e.g., If You Care, Unbleached Culprit) now market PFAS-free or certified compostable options with disclosed coatings. King Arthur's lack of specification places it in the middle-to-higher-risk segment of the parchment market; it offers no competitive transparency advantage over either budget or premium eco-labeled alternatives.
If you buy it
Use at temperatures below 420°F to minimize any risk of coating breakdown or volatile emissions. Do not reuse sheets excessively once creasing or wear becomes visible; degraded coating increases leaching potential. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight to preserve coating integrity. Consider rotating to a verified PFAS-free brand if you bake frequently or want lower uncertainty.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Natural Value has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Parchment Paper & Baking Liners
Seventh Generation
Parchment Baking Sheets | 3 x 24 sheets
bleached paper with silicone coating
Silicone coating degradation and microparticles
Limited concern
Heat-induced breakdown of paper fibers
Limited concern
Lower concern. PFAS-free claim backed by MADE SAFE cert.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Seventh Generation
Zulay Kitchen 200 Pcs Unbleached Non-Stick Baking Parchment Paper Sheets for Oven
unbleached cellulose paper, silicone coating
Silicone coating degradation at high heat
Limited concern
Migration of coating additives into fatty foods
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding during handling or cooking
Limited concern
Lower concern. Unbleached parchment with silicone coating; PFAS risk lower than conventional brands.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Seventh Generation
Parchment Paper Roll
wood pulp with silicone-based coating
Silicone coating degradation under high heat
Limited concern
Ink or printing chemical migration
Limited concern
Lower concern. Seventh Generation's PFAS-free claim is credible but unverified.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More parchment paper & baking liners 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.