PFAS25/ 100Poor
Overall13/ 100Bad
Parchment Paper Sheets

Parchment Paper by Glad · Grease-Resistant Parchment Paper

Parchment Paper Sheets

Poor

Parchment grease-resistant coating rarely disclosed. Source unclear.

Verdict: SkipParchment paper is generally low-risk for non-PFAS hazards, but Glad's silent stance on coating composition and heat limits warrants cautious use.

Glad parchment paper needs water and grease barrier, but coating chemistry is undisclosed. Silicone and wax are common, though Teflon-family coating use occurs in some parchment.

Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.

Material

Bleached paper with silicone 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 treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.

65/ 100
♾️

Category baseline

PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.

75/ 100
♾️

No PFAS disclosure

The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.

85/ 100

Silicone or wax coating integrity and heat degradation

The stability of Glad's unspecified coating above 400°F is not publicly documented. Degradation or flaking of the coating into food is theoretically possible but rare in practice at normal baking temperatures.

70/ 100
🫧

Microplastics

If the coating is synthetic (non-plant-wax silicone), microscopic particles could theoretically shed into fatty foods during baking. No published data on Glad sheets specifically; risk is low under normal use.

Source: EPA
70/ 100
⚠️

Mold or bacterial growth if stored improperly

Parchment boxes left unsealed in humid conditions can harbor mold under the coating or on cut edges. This is a storage-hygiene issue, not a manufacturing defect.

70/ 100

What’s reassuring

Bleaching residues or processing aids

Chlorine-based bleaching is standard in food-contact paper, and residues are not toxicologically significant at regulatory levels; no reports of illness from Glad parchment paper exist.

95/ 100
⛏️

Heavy metals

FDA food-contact substance regulations restrict heavy metals in paper and coatings; no recalls or testing results for Glad parchment indicate contamination.

Source: FDA
95/ 100

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Glad Parchment Paper Sheets consist of bleached paper (cellulose fiber) coated with either silicone or wax to achieve grease and moisture resistance. The bleaching process itself is standard food-grade practice and does not introduce known toxins at final residue levels. The critical unknown is the exact composition and source of the coating; silicone coatings are generally inert, but wax formulations can vary (plant-based, mineral, or synthetic), and neither Glad nor most manufacturers publicly specify which is used or whether processing aids or mold-release agents remain on the surface.

The brand's record and disclosure

Glad does not publicly disclose the chemical composition of its parchment coating, the bleaching method, or whether it has tested for PFAS presence. No major recalls or safety complaints specific to Glad parchment paper exist in public health databases. The brand has not pursued third-party certifications (e.g., FDA food-contact substance listing, compostability seals, or heavy-metal testing) that would increase transparency. This silence is typical in the parchment category but reflects a broader industry reluctance to detail food-contact coatings.

How it compares in its category

Parchment paper as a category ranks lower-risk than plastic wrap (BPA/plasticizer concern) or aluminum foil (potential aluminum migration under acidic conditions). Unbleached parchment and plant-wax alternatives exist but are less convenient and may cost more. Silicone-coated parchment is chemically more stable than wax-coated; Glad does not specify its type, placing it in the middle of the transparency spectrum for its category.

If you buy it

Use Glad parchment paper below 420°F (per standard parchment guidance); exceeding this risks coating breakdown and potential off-gassing. Replace sheets if you see browning, brittleness, or coating separation. Do not use for prolonged contact with very acidic foods (vinegar, citrus, tomato sauces) for more than a few hours, as acidic environments can accelerate coating degradation. Store in a cool, dry place; moisture can promote mold growth under the coating if the box is left open.

What we don’t know

Basis
Model estimate, 50% confidence, not a lab result
Lab test
None on record for this exact product
Brand statement
Parchment Paper by Glad has made none

Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.

More grease-resistant parchment 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.