· Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
Paper for Wrapping Meat
Avoid because meat wrapping paper's grease-resistant coating source is unclear.
Schwartz Brothers meat wrapping paper likely contains a water and grease-resistant coating typical of butcher paper. The coating chemistry is not publicly disclosed, so PFAS presence cannot be ruled out.
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
paper with grease-resistant coating, composition undisclosed
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
Undisclosed fluorochemical coatings in food-contact paper historically contain PFAS; absence of label claims suggests no special PFAS-free process applied. This is the primary driver of overall safety concern for this product.
Source: ATSDR ↗Mineral oil or hydrocarbon leaching from alternative coatings
If coating is non-fluorinated, it may use mineral oil or synthetic hydrocarbon polymers, which can migrate into fatty foods under standard storage. No data on migration rates for this brand's formula is available.
Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
Undisclosed coating formulations may degrade over time or with temperature stress, potentially releasing coated particles into contact with meat. Risk increases with age and storage conditions.
Food-contact compliance documentation
No FDA food-contact material compliance statement or third-party verification is published for Schwartz Brothers; regulatory status is unclear.
What’s reassuring
Incomplete combustion byproducts if paper is burnt or composted
No data available on thermal stability or off-gassing of this specific coating if incinerated. Standard practice is landfill disposal only.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Schwartz Brothers meat wrapping paper is paper substrate with an undisclosed grease-resistant coating. Grease resistance in food-contact paper is typically achieved via fluorochemical or hydrocarbon-based polymers; the former carry PFAS contamination risk, the latter may leach mineral oils. Without published composition data, the actual chemical identity and migration potential of this coating cannot be verified. This matters because meat wrapping involves prolonged contact with fatty proteins, which can accelerate leaching of coating components into food.
The brand's record and disclosure
Schwartz Brothers has not published ingredient or material composition information for this product, nor disclosed PFAS testing or restriction policies. No third-party certifications (FDA compliance statements, compostability, or chemical disclosures) are publicly associated with this brand in available records. The silence on coating chemistry is a red flag in the current food-safety landscape, where grease-resistant paper is increasingly scrutinized for PFAS content. No recalls or regulatory actions specific to this product are on record.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial meat wrapping papers use fluorinated coatings; some premium brands now offer PFAS-free alternatives using silicone or wax-based systems. Schwartz Brothers' lack of transparency places it in the higher-risk segment of the market. Butcher paper (uncoated kraft or wax-coated) is a documented safer alternative if PFAS avoidance is a priority. This product offers convenience but at the cost of unknown chemical exposure.
If you buy it
Use this product for wrapping only at room temperature; do not use in freezers or with hot meat, as cold and heat can both increase coating migration. Limit direct contact between the coated side and fatty or oily meat surfaces; use the paper side outward if possible. Replace wrapping if any visible degradation, discoloration, or odor develops. Store in a cool, dry place and discard after 12 months, as coating stability degrades over time.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- 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.