Seventh Generation · Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper
Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Paper Towels
Lower concern. Paper towels have minimal PFAS risk unless coated.
This recycled paper towel contains no disclosed coatings or treatments. Paper itself is inherently lower risk for PFAS unless treated with water and grease-resistant finishes, which are not mentioned here.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
100% recycled paper, no stated 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.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Mold or bacterial growth on stored product
Paper towels stored in high-humidity environments (bathrooms, kitchens near sinks) can develop mold or mildew over extended periods. This is not a manufacturing defect but a storage condition; keeping the product dry and replacing rolls regularly mitigates this common issue.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Recycled paper contaminants (trace metals, inks)
FDA-regulated recycled fiber manufacturing includes de-inking and heat treatment steps that remove or inactivate most ink residues and metal particulates. No specific recalls or contamination incidents are on record for Seventh Generation paper towels.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Seventh Generation does not state the use of wet-strength additives in this product; recycled paper towels typically achieve absorbency and strength through fiber selection rather than chemical cross-linking agents used in some premium brands.
Source, ATSDR ↗Elemental chlorine bleaching residues
The product states use of recycled fiber and does not specify elemental chlorine; modern US tissue manufacturers predominantly use oxygen or chlorine dioxide, which leaves minimal persistent residues in finished tissue.
Allergen or fragrance additives
Seventh Generation paper towels are unscented and the brand discloses fragrance-free or hypoallergenic formulations on product labels. No synthetic fragrance, essential oils, or known allergens are listed in available product information.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Paper Towels are made from post-consumer recycled paper fiber with no stated chemical coatings, bleaches beyond oxygen-based whitening, or wet-strength resins that would introduce leachable compounds. Recycled paper can theoretically contain residues from prior printing inks or adhesives, but food-contact recycled fiber in the US is regulated under FDA rules (21 CFR 182.90) that require heat treatment and contamination controls. This product carries FSC Recycled certification, meaning third-party chain-of-custody verification of the recycled source material.
The brand's record and disclosure
Seventh Generation publishes detailed ingredient lists and chemical inventories for most product lines and has a stated commitment to transparency via their website and reports. The brand underwent significant public scrutiny around PFAS in food-contact items starting around 2019-2021, and has publicly removed per- and polyfluorinated substances from multiple product lines; paper towels have never been flagged in those disclosures. The company holds B Corp certification, which includes independent audits of environmental and health claims.
How it compares in its category
Paper towels are the lowest-risk segment of food-contact paper products because they do not prolonged contact with food or hot liquids; they are typically used for wiping surfaces and hands. Compared to paper plates, bowls, or takeout containers, paper towels avoid issues with water-resistant coatings (which often contain PFAS), wet-strength chemicals, or intensive processing. Conventional bleached paper towels from major brands use similar fiber sources and carry comparable or slightly higher risk from brightening agents if not oxygen-based.
If you buy it
Paper towels require no special storage beyond keeping them dry and away from direct heat or moisture that would cause mold growth in the roll. Use them as intended for hand and surface wiping; do not use them as a heat-resistant barrier in ovens or microwaves, as recycled paper may contain trace metal oxides from printing processes that could interact with high heat (though risk is low for brief contact). Replace the roll when fully depleted; there is no accumulation or leaching hazard from keeping a partially used roll on the holder.
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
- Seventh Generation 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
bleached paper, uncoated
Mold or microbial growth during storage
Limited concern
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
bleached kraft paper, no specified coating
Ink or printing residue (if printed side contacts food)
Limited concern
Mold or microbial growth during storage
Limited concern
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
If You Care
Parchment Baking Sheets
unbleached parchment paper, silicone coating
Silicone coating degradation under heat stress
Limited concern
Mold or microbial growth if stored damp
Limited concern
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.