Pop Weaver · Microwave Popcorn
Gold Medal Pop Weaver Popcorn 12.5 lb Bagged
Skip unless bag interior verified PFAS-free; grease-resistant coatings often contain PFAS.
Pop Weaver makes no PFAS disclosure for this popcorn bag. Food-contact paper bags frequently use PFAS-based grease barriers; confirmation needed before purchase.
The better-graded swap
Quaker
Quaker Butter Popcorn Rice Cakes
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Good.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
kraft paper bag, uncoated
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Gold Medal Pop Weaver Popcorn 12.5 lb is made of, ingredients and materials
Gold Medal Pop Weaver is packaged in uncoated kraft paper, which is virgin or recycled cellulose fiber without synthetic polymer liners or coatings on the inner surface disclosed by the brand. Uncoated kraft naturally resists moisture and minor grease contact from the popcorn kernels and any residual oil without added barrier chemistry. The absence of a labeled coating means no intentional fluorochemical, polyethylene, or synthetic resin layer is applied to the food-contact side, reducing the baseline chemical exposure compared to coated competitors.
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.
PFAS
Uncoated kraft is stated, but if an undisclosed internal film or coating is present for grease resistance, PFAS is a common chemistry in such layers. No test data or manufacturer confirmation of PFAS-free status is on record for this specific product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Moisture and mold from kraft storage
Uncoated kraft is hygroscopic and absorbs ambient humidity, creating conditions for mold or mildew growth if the sealed bag is stored in damp environments for extended periods. This is a storage risk, not a chemical hazard, but affects food safety.
What’s reassuring
Printing inks and food-contact migration
Kraft paper bags typically use food-grade inks compliant with FDA CFR 175.105, but Pop Weaver does not publicly disclose ink formulation or testing. Exterior printing should not contact food directly if the bag is used as designed, but tear and leakage reduce this safety margin.
Kraft fiber degradation and physical contamination
Uncoated kraft bags are subject to tearing, puncture, and moisture degradation during storage and transport. Damage can expose the popcorn to air oxidation, moisture, or contact with external surfaces; none_known refers to chemical contamination specifically, not mechanical contamination risk.
Recycled fiber contaminants
If the kraft paper is made from recycled stock, legacy contamination from prior food or non-food use is theoretically possible but is regulated under FDA recycled fiber rules (21 CFR 110). No specific recalls or contamination incidents for Pop Weaver bags are on record.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Pop Weaver (owned by Weaver Industries) does not publicly disclose specific material sourcing, coating compositions, or third-party food-contact certifications on the product label or accessible brand materials reviewed here. The company has not made a public commitment to PFAS-free packaging and does not market this bag as PFAS-tested or certified. Without transparency on internal bag liners or printing inks, confirmation of absence is not possible from public record.
How it compares in its category
Most bulk popcorn bags in this size either use uncoated kraft (this product) or kraft with polyethylene film or grease-resistant coatings that frequently contain PFAS or other fluorochemicals. Uncoated kraft is a lower-chemical-barrier choice but relies on the fiber's natural properties and absorbs moisture faster in humid storage. Competitors offering certified PFAS-free or fully disclosed coatings are available at similar price points, though less common in bulk formats.
If you buy it
Store the unopened bag in a cool, dry area away from direct heat or sunlight to preserve the kraft structure and minimize any ink or natural surface chemical volatilization. Once opened, transfer kernels to a food-grade airtight container within 1-2 weeks to prevent moisture absorption and potential mold growth in the kraft bag, which is not designed for long-term opened storage. If the bag interior shows printing or a glossy coating on inspection, contact the manufacturer to confirm whether a PFAS-containing grease barrier is present before use.
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
- Pop Weaver has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Microwave Popcorn
Quaker
Butter Popcorn Rice Cakes
- puffed rice cakes in paperboard packaging
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Mold or bacterial growth in packaging
Trader Joe's
2 Packs Trader Joe's Synergistically Seasoned Popcorn 5.5 Oz Each Pack
- paperboard popcorn bag, grease-resistant interior lining
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Moisture and mold risk if bag is compromised
Wabash Valley
Farms Sweet
- paper-based food packaging with standard coating
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Ink migration (printing on exterior or interior)
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
More microwave popcorn 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.