Natural Value · Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper
Natural Value Waxed Paper Bags 6-pack
Lower concern, but wax origin unclear. Check label details first.
Waxed paper bags are typically made from unbleached paper with food-grade wax. Natural Value does not disclose PFAS status, and traditional wax carries generally lower risk than fluorinated alternatives.
The better-graded swap
If You Care
If You Care Parchment Baking Sheets
90/100 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
paper with wax coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Disclosed non-fluorinated coating
Coating is named and is not a fluorochemical (wax, paraffin, mink oil).
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.
Wax leaching (composition unknown)
Natural Value does not publicly disclose wax type (paraffin, soy, palm, recycled content) or refinement process. Food-contact paraffin is food-grade regulated in the US, but purity and additive content cannot be verified without manufacturer testing data.
Paper bleaching residues
If paper substrate is conventionally bleached (chlorine or chlorine dioxide), residual hypochlorous acid or organochlorines can persist at trace levels. No certification (Bleached Elemental Chlorine Free, ECF, or TCF) is advertised for this product.
Mineral oil in wax formulation
Some wax coatings contain mineral oil-derived additives to improve flexibility or water resistance. Mineral oil is low-toxicity but can accumulate in fatty tissues with chronic exposure; no data specific to Natural Value wax composition.
What’s reassuring
Ink migration from printing
If bags are printed with brand graphics, food-contact inks should meet FDA/EU standards, but Natural Value does not specify ink type or certification. No recalls for ink-related contamination are on record for this brand.
Microorganism growth from paper fibers
Waxed paper bags are not designed for hot food or prolonged moisture retention, reducing mold or bacterial growth risk compared to uncoated paper. If stored damp, paper itself is susceptible to fungal colonization, but this is a storage issue, not an inherent product defect.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Natural Value Waxed Paper Bags are paper substrate coated with a wax layer, typically paraffin or soy-based wax, designed to provide grease and moisture barriers without plastic film. The wax coating is the functional barrier; its origin and purity determine leaching risk. Unlike plastic films (polyethylene, polypropylene), wax does not off-gas volatile monomers or plasticizers, making it chemically simpler. The paper itself can harbor ink residues or bleach byproducts if not chlorine-free certified, though food-contact paper is generally regulated to low levels.
The brand's record and disclosure
Natural Value is a private-label brand (owned by Unified Grocers) with minimal public transparency on material sourcing, certifications, or safety testing disclosure. No independent recalls or hazard reports are on record for this specific product line. The brand does not publish detailed ingredient or certification statements (organic, bleach-free, food-contact compliance) on publicly available materials, limiting third-party verification. This silence on wax sourcing and processing is typical for budget food-packaging lines but represents a gap in traceability.
How it compares in its category
Waxed paper bags occupy a middle ground, lower concern for microplastic contamination than single-use plastic bags, less inert than uncoated kraft paper, and comparable to or cheaper than certified compostable paper alternatives. They perform similarly to store-brand waxed paper sheets and cups. Premium or certified organic brands (If You Care, Unbleached Paper) typically provide better transparency on wax type and bleach-free status, but Natural Value offers cost advantage with no established safety trade-off based on available data.
If you buy it
Use for dry or room-temperature foods (sandwiches, baked goods, produce); avoid prolonged direct contact with hot liquids or oily foods that may degrade wax faster. Do not microwave; wax can soften or migrate at temperatures above 150F. Replace bags if wax coating shows tears, cracking, or visible wear, as the barrier function is compromised. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent wax brittleness. For organic or PFAS-conscious households, verify wax source on package label or contact manufacturer before purchase.
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
- Natural Value 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.