Seventh Generation · Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
Seventh Generation Natural 100% Unbleached Recycled Paper
Lower concern. No waterproofing or coating disclosed.
This unbleached recycled paper contains no stated water-resistant or grease-resistant treatment. The brand makes no PFAS claims but the bare paper format poses minimal PFAS risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
unbleached recycled paper, no waterproofing treatment specified
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Seventh Generation Natural Recycled Paper is made of, ingredients and materials
This product is unbleached recycled paper, meaning it skips the chlorine-based bleaching process that can introduce dioxins and other chlorinated byproducts into the fiber matrix. Recycled fiber is mechanically reprocessed paper waste, which carries lower fresh chemical input than virgin pulp but may retain trace contaminants from prior use (inks, coatings). The absence of a waterproofing or grease-barrier coating is significant, many food-contact papers use PFAS-based or silicone treatments to repel moisture, so this product's lack of disclosed treatment aligns with its lower PFAS profile.
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.
Ink and contaminant residues from recycled fiber
Recycled paper may contain trace legacy inks and coatings from prior use. Seventh Generation does not publicly disclose specific contaminant screening protocols, though the unbleached process does not re-mobilize chlorinated residues as heavily as bleaching can.
Migration of recycled fiber fragments or small paper particles into food
Unbleached, uncoated paper fibers can shed onto high-moisture or oily foods more readily than coated alternatives. This is a sensory and minor contamination concern rather than a toxicological hazard; it is acceptable for dry foods and standard practice in bakeries.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Dioxins from bleaching
This product is explicitly unbleached, so chlorine-based bleaching dioxin formation is not a concern. Elemental chlorine-free (ECF) bleaching is avoided by design.
Microplastics
No waterproofing or plastic-based coating is disclosed on this product. Unbleached paper may contain natural sizing agents (starch, alum) but these carry negligible food-safety risk at typical use levels.
Source, EPA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde-based resins are disclosed as additives in this SKU. Recycled paper stock may contain trace formaldehyde from prior manufacturing, but Seventh Generation's processing and certifications do not indicate elevated exposure risk.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Seventh Generation has a 30-year track record of transparency on chemical formulations and manufacturing; the company publishes ingredient disclosures and holds B Corp certification, which requires third-party auditing of supply chains. The brand has made public commitments to eliminate problematic chemicals (including some fluorinated compounds in other product lines) and actively discloses the absence of bleach and coatings on this SKU. No recalls or regulatory actions specific to this paper product are on record.
How it compares in its category
Unbleached recycled paper sits at the lower end of chemical risk in food packaging because it avoids both bleaching chemistry and waterproofing treatments common in coated alternatives. Virgin unbleached paper has similar hazard profiles but higher environmental cost. Typical chlorine-bleached or fluorochemical-coated food papers introduce dioxin and PFAS exposure routes that this product does not; however, unbleached paper is less suitable for greasy or wet foods without a separate wrapper.
If you buy it
Use this paper for dry foods (baked goods, bread, crackers) where moisture and oil exposure is minimal; for greasy items, layer it with another barrier or use it as an outer wrap only. Do not assume unbleached paper is waterproof; check the intended use on packaging. Replace if the paper becomes visibly soiled, torn, or shows signs of mold or mildew. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent microbial growth on the recycled fiber itself.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Seventh Generation has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Seventh Generation Natural 100% Unbleached Recycled Paper?
IDL Packaging
White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
- unbleached natural kraft paper
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Mold or microbial growth
- unbleached parchment paper, silicone coating
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Silicone coating degradation under heat stress
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Silicone-coated parchment paper
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Silicone coating degradation at high heat
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.