CVS Time To Party Striped Paper Straws
Lower-concern choice; plain paper straws rarely treated with PFAS, but CVS makes no public commitment.
Paper straws are inherently lower-risk because they typically lack water-resistant or grease-resistant coatings. CVS provides no PFAS information or third-party testing.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
paper (no known 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.
Dye migration and colorant safety
Striping achieved through surface inks or pigments; water-soluble dyes could leach into beverages, particularly if the straw is wet before use or beverage is acidic. No testing data available for CVS proprietary colorant formulation; food-grade dyes are typically approved, but source and heavy metal content (e.g., lead, cadmium in older pigments) are not publicly disclosed.
Pulp fiber shedding and microparticles
Paper straws naturally shed fibers and small paper particles over time, especially when wet. While not a chemical hazard per se, this is a documented physical degradation issue common to uncoated paper straws. Most shedding is cosmetic and harmless, but sensitive individuals may notice texture changes in beverages.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Paper pulp can be treated with formaldehyde-releasing resins (e.g., melamine-formaldehyde) to improve wet strength and durability. CVS does not disclose whether such binders are used in this product. Formaldehyde migration from paper into food/drink is generally minimal under normal conditions, but is not ruled out without material transparency.
Source, ATSDR ↗Mold and microbial growth if stored wet
Paper straws are hygroscopic and can harbor mold, bacteria, or fungal growth if stored in humid conditions or packaged damp. This is a storage and handling issue rather than an inherent chemical risk, but poses a food-safety concern if straws are not kept dry before use.
PFAS
Some manufacturers add PFAS-based food-contact coatings to paper straws to improve liquid resistance and shelf life. CVS makes no public statement on whether this product is treated; plain uncoated paper straws are the baseline assumption, but absence of disclosure leaves risk unquantified.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
CVS Time To Party straws are paper-based with colored striping, likely achieved through food-grade dyes or pigments applied to the paper substrate. Paper straws inherently lack the non-stick coatings (Teflon-type coating/Teflon) or plastic linings that introduce synthetic chemical risks in alternative straw types. The striped pattern suggests surface printing rather than embedded dyes, which reduces leaching risk into beverages. No food-contact laminate, plastic lining, or waterproofing resin is publicly disclosed, keeping the chemical profile simple.
The brand's record and disclosure
CVS Health does not publish specific material safety data sheets or chemical composition statements for this product line. The brand has made general commitments to removing problematic chemicals (e.g., BPA in some product categories) but does not prominently disclose straw-specific sourcing, coating treatments, or third-party testing. No recalls, safety alerts, or regulatory violations specific to CVS paper straws are on record. Transparency around PFAS treatment of paper straws remains absent from CVS public communications.
How it compares in its category
Paper straws are among the lowest-chemical-risk single-use drinking options, outperforming plastic and metal alternatives in terms of synthetic additive load. However, some paper straw brands use PFAS-based water-repellent coatings to extend durability and reduce disintegration; CVS does not disclose whether this treatment is applied. Uncoated or minimally coated paper straws like this are preferable to reinforced plastic straws or those with laminated barriers. The lack of brand transparency places CVS straws in a middle ground, not third-party verified, with unknown coating status.
If you buy it
Paper straws are designed for short-term, cold or warm (not hot) beverages; avoid prolonged soaking or use in very hot liquids above 60 degrees Celsius, which can weaken the paper substrate and increase fiber shedding. Straws will naturally soften and lose structural integrity after 30 to 60 minutes of use, so use shortly after opening a drink. Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture to prevent mold or mildew growth on the paper surface. Dispose of as compostable/compost waste if local facilities accept them, otherwise regular waste.
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
- Straws PAPER has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More paper straws 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.