Reynolds · Parchment Paper & Baking Liners
Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper Roll
Parchment likely treated for water resistance. Reynolds silent on PFAS.
Reynolds won't disclose PFAS use or coating chemistry here. Parchment paper typically needs grease and moisture barriers, often supplied by fluorinated compounds. Independent lab data doesn't exist.
The better-graded swap
If You Care
If You Care Parchment Baking Paper
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
cellulose paper with silicone and unspecified water-resistant 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.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Reynolds does not disclose coating composition. Water-resistant parchment coatings commonly contain PFAS; independent testing has detected fluorine in some parchment brands. Migration risk is higher with heat, fatty foods, and prolonged contact.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and particle shedding
Parchment paper coatings can flake or shed if overheated, creased repeatedly, or aged; no health incidents are formally documented for Reynolds specifically, but visible coating damage should trigger replacement to avoid ingestion of micro-particles.
What’s reassuring
Silicone migration at high temperature
Silicone itself is FDA-approved for food contact and has no established toxicity at typical baking temperatures. Risk is low if used within label limits (420°F or below).
Contamination from recycled fiber feedstock
No information is publicly available on whether Reynolds uses virgin or recycled pulp, or any testing for contaminants in the base paper. Standard FDA compliance would apply.
Fragrance or processing residues
Parchment paper does not typically contain added fragrances or antimicrobial agents; processing residues would be regulated under FDA food-contact rules, and no specific concerns are on record for this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Reynolds parchment paper is cellulose (wood pulp) coated with silicone on both sides for non-stick properties, plus an unspecified water-resistant treatment on the food-contact surface. Silicone itself is inert at normal baking temperatures (up to 420°F for most parchment). The water-resistant coating is the uncertain element, it may contain PFAS (fluorinated compounds) to achieve grease and moisture repellency, though Reynolds does not disclose this publicly. Heat, acidic foods, and fatty foods can potentially increase migration of coating components into food.
The brand's record and disclosure
Reynolds has not published statements about PFAS in parchment paper or committed to PFAS-free reformulation as of available public records. The company does not list ingredient certification (e.g., FDA food-contact substance approval letters) on consumer-facing packaging or websites. Reynolds is owned by Alcoa and has a long history in food packaging but has not distinguished itself as a leader in chemical transparency for parchment products specifically.
How it compares in its category
Parchment paper overall is considered a lower-risk food-contact product compared to plastic wrap or aluminum foil for most applications. However, PFAS concerns in parchment have grown since ~2016 when independent testing flagged potential fluorine content in some brands. Reynolds is neither known for marketing PFAS absence nor flagged in major safety recalls; it occupies the mainstream middle ground. Alternatives like silicone baking mats or uncoated kraft paper avoid the water-resistant coating question entirely but have different performance trade-offs.
If you buy it
Use Reynolds parchment at or below the stated temperature limit (typically 420°F) to minimize coating volatilization. Avoid prolonged contact between parchment and fatty or acidic foods (e.g., do not line a pan with grease sitting for hours before baking). Replace the roll if the silicone coating visibly tears, flakes, or discolors. For frequent, high-heat, or long-contact applications (e.g., roasting fatty fish for 45+ minutes at 425°F), rotate to silicone mats or uncoated parchment as a precaution given PFAS uncertainty.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% 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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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.