PFAS25/ 100Poor
Overall17/ 100Bad
Reynolds Cut-Rite Wax Paper

Reynold's · Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper

Reynolds Cut-Rite Wax Paper

Poor

Likely lower concern. Silicone coatings typical, but brand silent on PFAS.

Verdict · SkipSilicone-coated paper with no established safety concerns; standard food-contact material. PFAS status unclear but not a documented issue for this product.

This product uses a silicone-based water-resistant coating, not known to need PFAS. The brand provides no PFAS disclosure, and no lab data exists for verification.

The better-graded swap

Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish

IDL Packaging

Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish

95/100 safety

95Excellent

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 silicone-based 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.

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
⚠️

Paper substrate contaminants (chlorine, dioxins from bleaching)

Bleached paper products may contain trace dioxin residues; Reynolds does not disclose bleaching methods. Levels in food-contact paper are typically below concern thresholds, but unbleached or chlorine-free alternatives exist if exposure reduction is desired.

70/ 100

Thermal breakdown of coating at high heat

Excessive heat (above stated product limits) may degrade silicone coating, though degradation byproducts are not formally characterized. Standard use within manufacturer guidance poses no known risk.

70/ 100

What’s reassuring

Silicone coating migration into food

No established evidence that food-grade silicone coatings leach into food under normal baking or storage conditions. Silicone is chemically inert and approved for food contact by the FDA.

95/ 100

Microplastic shedding from coating degradation

Silicone coatings are less prone to flaking than older paraffin wax. No recalls or documented cases of silicone particles entering food from Cut-Rite wax paper are on record.

95/ 100
🍼

BPA & bisphenols

Silicone-based coatings do not contain BPA or phthalates by formulation. No evidence suggests Reynolds uses these chemicals in wax paper; they are not typical to this product class.

Source, FDA
95/ 100

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Reynolds Cut-Rite is paper coated with a silicone-based release agent, designed to prevent food from sticking during cooking and storage. Silicone coatings are food-contact approved by the FDA and differ chemically from older wax formulations; they are heat-stable and do not migrate into food under normal use. The paper substrate itself is inert, and the coating remains on the surface rather than being absorbed.

The brand's record and disclosure

Reynolds has a long history as a food-packaging manufacturer with general FDA compliance. The company does not publicly disclose detailed coating chemistry or third-party testing results for wax paper specifically. No recalls or safety controversies specific to Cut-Rite wax paper are on record. Reynolds has not released statements addressing PFAS in this product line.

How it compares in its category

Silicone-coated paper is now standard for wax paper and presents lower concern than older paraffin-wax formulations, which carried microplastic concerns. Parchment paper (bleached cellulose) is a direct alternative with similar non-stick properties and no known additional hazards. Neither silicone wax paper nor parchment requires the regulatory oversight of non-stick cookware (Teflon-type coating), making this category lower-risk overall.

If you buy it

Cut-Rite wax paper is appropriate for food storage, wrapping, and baking up to typical oven temperatures (350-450F depending on brand specifications; check packaging). Do not use directly on stovetop burners or in direct flame. Replace rolls after 2-3 years of storage to prevent coating drying or brittleness. Store in cool, dry conditions; exposure to heat or moisture can compromise the silicone layer.

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
Reynold's 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

IDL Packaging

White Butcher Paper 18" x Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish

bleached paper, uncoated

PFAS Grade95Excellent
Overall Grade91Excellent
⚠️

Mold or microbial growth during storage

Limited concern

70

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

IDL Packaging

White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish

bleached kraft paper, no specified coating

PFAS Grade95Excellent
Overall Grade87Excellent
⚠️

Ink or printing residue (if printed side contacts food)

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Mold or microbial growth during storage

Limited concern

70

Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.

Starting grade for this product type

If You Care Parchment Baking Sheets

If You Care

Parchment Baking Sheets

unbleached parchment paper, silicone coating

PFAS Grade90Excellent
Overall Grade82Excellent

Silicone coating degradation under heat stress

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Mold or microbial growth if stored damp

Limited concern

70

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.