Schwartz Bros · Parchment Paper & Baking Liners
PaperChef Parchment Paper
Parchment paper carries modest PFAS risk; skip if concerned.
PaperChef parchment is silicone-coated paper with no disclosed PFAS claims. Silicone coatings are generally lower concern than Teflon-family coating, but some grease-resistant parchment historically used PFOA; no public testing data available for this brand.
The safe swap
Seventh Generation
Parchment Baking Sheets | 3 x 24 sheets
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
bleached paper with silicone coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Silicone coating degradation at high temperature
Silicone-coated parchment degrades above 420-450°F depending on formulation. PaperChef does not prominently disclose its maximum safe temperature, and overheating can release volatile siloxanes and degrade the non-stick surface into food.
Microparticle migration from coating separation
When the silicone coating degrades, peels, or is mechanically scratched, microscopic fragments may enter food. This risk is low in normal use but increases if paper is reused, crumpled, or exposed to heat stress.
Undisclosed processing chemicals in manufacturing
The silicone coating process may employ solvents, catalysts, or cross-linkers not listed on packaging. Schwartz Bros' lack of transparency prevents assessment of whether banned or restricted substances were used during production.
PFAS
Graded separately as Poor (25/100); relevant here as a non-PFAS hazard summary: silicone coatings in parchment often contain fluorinated compounds to enhance grease resistance. The brand's silence on PFAS avoidance suggests no reformulation toward PFAS-free alternatives.
Source: ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Bleach residue and processing aids in paper matrix
No specific contamination reports exist for PaperChef parchment from bleaching chemicals or paper processing residues. However, bleached paper can retain trace chlorine compounds if rinsing is incomplete; Schwartz Bros does not publish process details.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
PaperChef parchment is bleached paper coated with silicone, a standard food-contact construction. Silicone itself is inert at moderate temperatures and does not leach into food under normal baking conditions. However, the bleaching process and any processing aids used in the silicone application are where contaminant risk concentrates. The combination of bleached cellulose plus synthetic polymer coating creates two potential pathways for migration: paper breakdown at high heat and silicone instability above its rated temperature limit.
The brand's record and disclosure
Schwartz Bros maintains minimal public disclosure about PaperChef's chemical processing, certifications, or safety testing. The brand does not appear to have published responses to PFAS questions or sought third-party certifications (such as FDA food-contact compliance statements or compostability labels) that would strengthen confidence. This silence is not itself evidence of contamination, but it leaves end-users without the transparency now standard among leading parchment competitors.
How it compares in its category
Parchment paper as a category has largely moved away from PFOA-based coatings since the 2010s, but many brands still use fluorinated compounds for oil and grease resistance. PaperChef occupies a mid-market position with no known certifications distinguishing it from generic alternatives. Brands like If You Care (certified compostable, PFAS-avoided formulations) and Kirkland (tested by third parties) offer higher transparency; budget alternatives from store brands often lack equivalent disclosure but may use identical base materials.
If you buy it
Do not exceed 420°F (215°C) with this product, as silicone coatings degrade above that range and may off-gas. Replace rolls every 6-12 months or immediately if the coating shows cracking, peeling, or darkening, which signals breakdown. Use primarily for baking and food storage at room temperature rather than roasting or direct flame contact. Consider rotating to PFAS-avoiding brands if you use parchment paper multiple times per week; occasional use carries acceptably low risk.
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
- Schwartz Bros has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Parchment Paper & Baking Liners
Seventh Generation
Parchment Baking Sheets | 3 x 24 sheets
bleached paper with silicone coating
Silicone coating degradation and microparticles
Limited concern
Heat-induced breakdown of paper fibers
Limited concern
Lower concern. PFAS-free claim backed by MADE SAFE cert.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Seventh Generation
Zulay Kitchen 200 Pcs Unbleached Non-Stick Baking Parchment Paper Sheets for Oven
unbleached cellulose paper, silicone coating
Silicone coating degradation at high heat
Limited concern
Migration of coating additives into fatty foods
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding during handling or cooking
Limited concern
Lower concern. Unbleached parchment with silicone coating; PFAS risk lower than conventional brands.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Seventh Generation
Parchment Paper Roll
wood pulp with silicone-based coating
Silicone coating degradation under high heat
Limited concern
Ink or printing chemical migration
Limited concern
Lower concern. Seventh Generation's PFAS-free claim is credible but unverified.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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.