· Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper
Master Deli Dry Waxed Paper SW-12
Waxed deli paper likely poses lower risk, but brand offers no PFAS transparency.
Waxed deli paper typically uses paraffin or soy wax rather than fluorinated compounds, presenting lower PFAS risk than grease-resistant coatings. Paper Mart hasn't published PFAS information; ask them directly.
The better-graded swap
IDL Packaging
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
95/100 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
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Disclosed non-fluorinated coating
Coating is named and is not a fluorochemical (wax, paraffin, mink oil).
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Wax migration and oral ingestion at elevated temperature
Wax coatings can soften and transfer to warm or hot foods if paper exceeds its thermal design limit. This product is not rated for oven or microwave use; risk is low if kept to cold/room-temperature wrapping as intended.
PFAS
Deli wax paper historically uses conventional paraffin, but some coatings employ fluorinated compounds for enhanced water or oil repellence. Paper Mart's silence on fluorinated waxes means PFAS presence cannot be ruled out; independent testing would be required for confirmation.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Chlorine residues in bleached paper substrate
No public data on bleaching method for Master Deli SW-12. Standard food-service paper uses ECF (elemental chlorine-free) or TCF (totally chlorine-free) pulping; dioxin contamination in finished paper is not a documented concern for major US manufacturers, but brand does not disclose pulping chemistry.
Mineral oil or processing-aid residues
Paraffin wax coatings may contain trace mineral oil or processing residues; FDA-compliant food-contact waxes are refined to exclude unacceptable substances, but Paper Mart does not publish analytical data on purity or contaminants.
Ink or printing hazards (if product is printed)
Product name 'Master Deli Dry Waxed Paper' suggests unmarked stock; if printed branding is present, no public record of non-compliant inks. Food-service paper printers typically use approved soy or water-based inks.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Master Deli Dry Waxed Paper SW-12 is paper substrate coated with a wax layer (likely mineral or synthetic paraffin wax, standard for food-service deli wrap). The wax creates a moisture and grease barrier without requiring plastic film. No public data confirms this product uses fluorinated waxes, though the category as a whole has historically relied on conventional paraffin or blended wax coatings to meet food-service durability.
The brand's record and disclosure
Paper Mart is a major foodservice paper distributor with no publicly documented PFAS disclosure policy or third-party certification (e.g., GreenSeal, Cradle to Cradle) on their waxed paper lines. No recalls or regulatory violations on record for this specific SKU. The brand's silence on PFAS chemistry in their wax formulations is typical of the broader paper-foodservice industry, which has not universally adopted transparent reporting.
How it compares in its category
Deli waxed paper occupies a lower-chemical-risk niche compared to plastic-coated or plastic-lined foodservice paper (which may contain BPA or phthalates in adhesives or coatings). Unbleached or chlorine-free alternatives exist but are less common in the standard deli-wrap market. Versus silicone-coated parchment or plastic wrap, waxed paper avoids synthetic polymers but offers less heat tolerance and shorter shelf life once greasy foods are wrapped.
If you buy it
Use for ambient and refrigerated food wrapping only; wax begins to soften and migrate above 160-180°F, so avoid direct oven contact or hot-food wrapping above that range. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent wax bloom or tackiness. Replace rolls that show visible wax degradation (flaking, separation from paper) as coating integrity supports the moisture barrier. Composability depends on your facility; most curbside recyclers reject waxed paper, though some commercial composting accepts it.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 62% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- 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.