PFAS25/ 100Poor
Overall17/ 100Bad
reynolds kitchens 45 sq ft parchment paper, 1 package

Reynolds · Parchment Paper & Baking Liners

reynolds kitchens 45 sq ft parchment paper, 1 package

Poor

Likely lower risk, but Reynolds won't disclose PFAS use.

Verdict · SkipSilicone-coated parchment has no hazard of this kind on record in normal use; Reynolds' lack of PFAS transparency is a minor concern but does not elevate risk materially.

Parchment paper traditionally uses paper with silicone coating and doesn't require PFAS. Reynolds makes no public PFAS statement. Standard parchment carries lower inherent risk than grease-resistant food packaging.

The better-graded swap

If You Care Parchment Baking Sheets

If You Care

If You Care Parchment Baking Sheets

90/100 safety

90Excellent

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

silicone-coated 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.

75/ 100
♾️

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.

85/ 100
♾️

Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment

Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.

65/ 100

Thermal breakdown of coating and paper at extreme temperatures

If parchment paper is exposed to temperatures above 450F (e.g., under a direct broiler or in contact with flame), the silicone coating and paper fibers may degrade and discolor. This does not produce acute toxins but may result in visible residue on food; avoid this use case.

70/ 100
🏷️

PFAS

Reynolds does not confirm or deny PFAS use in their silicone coating. Some manufacturers have used fluorinated compounds for enhanced water repellency, but this is not confirmed for this product. Graded separately at 25/100 safety.

Source, ATSDR
70/ 100

What’s reassuring

Silicone coating stability and migration at high heat

Silicone coatings on food-contact paper are FDA-approved and have no documented migration into food at typical cooking temperatures. No adverse health outcomes have been reported for Reynolds parchment in normal use.

95/ 100

Bleach and processing residues in paper substrate

Modern parchment paper is manufactured under food-safety standards that limit residual bleach and chlorine. Reynolds does not disclose whether their paper is chlorine-free, but no contamination has been established in this product line.

95/ 100

Microplastic or fiber shedding if coating is damaged

Intact parchment paper does not shed fibers or particles into food. If the coating is torn or severely damaged, small paper fragments may contact food, but this is a mechanical issue, not a chemical hazard.

95/ 100

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Reynolds parchment paper is cellulose-based (wood pulp) with a silicone coating applied to the surface. The silicone layer creates a non-stick, heat-resistant barrier that prevents food and oils from soaking through to the paper underneath. Silicone is chemically stable and does not leach into food under normal cooking temperatures (up to around 420-450°F, depending on the product line). This is a well-established food-contact material approved by the FDA.

The brand's record and disclosure

Reynolds has not publicly disclosed whether their parchment coating contains PFAS compounds, which are sometimes used in water and oil repellency formulations. The brand does not advertise PFAS-free status on packaging or marketing materials. Reynolds holds no specific third-party certifications (like NSF or Chlorine-Free) for this product. No recalls or safety violations specific to Reynolds parchment paper are on record with the FDA.

How it compares in its category

Silicone-coated parchment is the industry standard and presents lower concern than older bleached varieties or wax paper. Some competitors (e.g., If You Care, Kirkland Organic) explicitly market PFAS-free or compostable alternatives, which may appeal if PFAS minimization is a priority. Reynolds dominates the retail market and is chemically equivalent to most major brands in terms of base material safety. Cost and availability favor Reynolds relative to specialty eco-brands.

If you buy it

Use Reynolds parchment paper for oven baking up to the labeled temperature limit (typically 420F); do not use at broiler temperatures or direct flame. Replace the sheet if it tears, yellows significantly, or becomes greasy and worn, as coating degradation may increase sticking and residue transfer. No special storage or maintenance is needed; keep in a cool, dry place. For frequent high-heat applications, consider switching to silicone baking mats as a reusable alternative.

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
Reynolds has made none

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

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Coating degradation and leaching

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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.