Seventh Generation · Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper
Seventh Generation Natural Unbleached 100% Recycled Paper Towels
Lower concern. Bare paper product with no water or grease barriers.
This unbleached recycled paper towel lacks water-resistant or grease-proof treatments that typically require PFAS. No PFAS claim or disclosure exists from the brand, but the material itself poses lower risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
100% recycled paper, unbleached, no coating disclosed
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.
Residual inks and solvents from recycled content
Recycled paper can carry trace heavy metals (lead, cadmium) or organic solvents from prior printing or coating. No specific testing for this product is on record, but the unbleached format and lack of additional processing limits opportunities for contamination amplification. Risk is low for single-use paper towels since exposure is brief and surface contact only.
Microbial or mold growth during storage
Uncoated paper is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture readily) and can support microbial growth if stored in damp conditions. This is a use and storage issue, not a manufacturing hazard, but relevant for safety. Proper dry storage eliminates this concern.
BPA & bisphenols
Recycled paper can theoretically contain trace BPA from thermal paper receipts or food contact materials in prior use. No specific testing or recall data exists for Seventh Generation paper towels. Risk is very low because paper towels are not food-contact absorbent materials and brief exposure to surface residues poses minimal leaching.
Source, FDA ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Seventh Generation does not disclose use of wet-strength chemistry in this product. Uncoated recycled paper towels typically avoid these resins entirely, so risk is not identified. If the product were treated post-manufacture, it would be declared on the package or safety sheet.
Source, ATSDR ↗Chlorine bleach residues or dioxins
Product is explicitly unbleached, so no chlorine-based bleaching byproducts are expected. This is a major advantage over conventional bleached paper towels and reduces both chemical exposure and environmental persistence.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This product is 100% recycled paper with no disclosed coating, bleaching, or chemical treatments. Recycled paper can contain residual inks and additives from prior uses, but unbleached and uncoated formats eliminate the chlorine byproducts (dioxins) and synthetic barrier chemicals that complicate disposal and safety. The lack of a water or grease barrier means no fluorinated compounds or silicone coatings are present, which directly reduces PFAS and leaching risks compared to many consumer paper products.
The brand's record and disclosure
Seventh Generation has a documented 30-year track record of transparency in ingredient disclosure and environmental claims; their products typically carry third-party ecolabels (Green Seal, Cradle to Cradle, or similar). The brand publishes safety data sheets and ingredient lists more openly than most competitors. No significant recalls or chemical controversies are on record for this specific product line. Their silence on PFAS testing is consistent with many paper manufacturers, but their uncoated format naturally sidesteps the issue.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial paper towels are bleached and coated with wet-strength resins or fluorinated water-barriers; both add chemical processing and potential leachates. Seventh Generation's unbleached, uncoated, recycled approach shows lower concern compared to other paper towel products. Compostable or tree-free alternatives (bamboo, sugarcane) may avoid recycling contamination risk but do not inherently outperform this product on chemical hazards. For a single-use disposable, this is a simpler, lower-input option.
If you buy it
Paper towels are not food-contact surfaces in the usual sense (they dry food, not wrap it for storage), so direct leaching during use is minimal. Store in a dry place to prevent mold or microbial growth on the roll. No special care is needed; discard when saturated or torn. Because they are uncoated, they will absorb liquids more readily than bleached alternatives, which can be an advantage for spill cleanup but a disadvantage for durability.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% 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.