Sappi Fine Papers · Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
Grease-resistant Food Grade Waxed Kraft Deli Tissue Paper
Avoid. Grease-resistant coating likely contains PFAS, brand silent.
Grease-resistant food paper typically uses fluorochemical coatings for water and oil blocking. This brand does not publicly disclose PFAS presence or testing for this product.
The safe swap
Sam's Club
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
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, wax and grease-resistant coating (unspecified)
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.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
PFAS
Grease-resistant food-contact coatings have historically relied on perfluorinated compounds; Sappi's silence on ingredient disclosure and lack of public PFAS-free commitment make presence highly probable. Migration to food is possible, especially with fatty or acidic foods.
Source: ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and leaching over time
Wax and synthetic polymer coatings on kraft paper can degrade with moisture, heat, or mechanical stress, potentially releasing coating fragments or residual solvents into food contact. No data on coating stability or migration testing for this specific Sappi product is publicly available.
Unidentified chemical residues from coating application
Without disclosed coating ingredients, manufacturing solvents, or cross-contamination controls, the risk of trace chemical residues (e.g., unreacted monomers, processing aids) cannot be assessed. Food-contact paper coatings should be validated for migration; no such validation is documented for this product.
Microplastic or coating particle shedding
Kraft paper with applied coatings can shed microscopic particles during handling or use, especially if the coating is brittle or poorly adhered. Heat or moisture exposure increases this risk; no durability or shedding data is available for this specific product.
What’s reassuring
Chlorine bleaching residues (if product is bleached)
If kraft paper substrate is bleached (common for bright 'food-grade' papers), residual chlorine or dioxins are possible but rare in modern production. Sappi does not specify whether this product is bleached; assume standard food-grade processing unless stated otherwise.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This product is kraft paper (made from wood pulp) with an applied wax and grease-resistant coating. The coating formulation is not disclosed by Sappi. Grease-resistant food-contact coatings historically relied on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) to repel oils; modern alternatives exist but require explicit manufacturer commitment. Since Sappi has not publicly committed to PFAS-free formulations or disclosed the coating chemistry, the coating's composition cannot be verified as safe.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sappi Fine Papers is a large international pulp and paper manufacturer with no publicly documented commitment to eliminating PFAS from food-contact products or transparency about coating ingredients. The company has not responded to industry pressure for fluorine-free grease barriers or published ingredient lists for coated papers. This silence contrasts with competitors who have explicitly switched to PFAS-free alternatives, making verification of safety claims impossible for consumers.
How it compares in its category
Most conventional deli papers and food-grade waxed kraft tissues (including those from larger manufacturers) have historically used PFAS-based coatings. However, leading alternatives now exist: unbleached kraft paper with beeswax or plant-based wax coatings, and papers explicitly certified PFAS-free by third parties. Some manufacturers (such as certain compostable food-wrap producers) now disclose PFAS-free status; Sappi's silence suggests no such commitment.
If you buy it
Do not use this product for items that will be heated (oven, microwave, or contact with hot foods above 60C), as heat can accelerate any coating degradation or leaching. Store in cool, dry conditions; do not reuse sheets. If used, reserve only for cold deli counter wrapping. Strongly consider switching to uncoated kraft, certified PFAS-free papers, or plant-wax alternatives where grease resistance is needed; these are now widely available from other suppliers.
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
- Sappi Fine Papers has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
Sam's Club
Member's Mark Heavy Duty Food Service Foil
Aluminum foil
Aluminum leaching from acidic foods
Limited concern
Lower risk. Plain aluminum foil typically does not contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Sam's Club
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
unbleached natural kraft paper
Grease and mineral oil migration
Limited concern
Lower risk. Uncoated paper rarely contains PFAS chemicals.
⚠Risky category by default
IDL Packaging PFAS-Free Grease-Proof Paper Sheets
paper with grease-resistant coating
PFAS
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from coating under wear
Limited concern
Brand claims PFAS-free but lacks independent lab verification.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More grease-resistant butcher & deli 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.