Norpro · Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper
Norpro Square Wax Paper
Unknown treatment. Wax paper traditionally lower risk, grease source unclear.
Norpro wax paper uses wax coating for grease resistance rather than explicit PFAS treatment. Traditional wax papers carry lower concern, but the brand provides no PFAS disclosure.
The better-graded swap
IDL Packaging
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
95/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Paper with wax coating (grease-resistant)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Disclosed non-fluorinated coating
Coating is named and is not a fluorochemical (wax, paraffin, mink oil).
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.
Thermal degradation of wax coating
Overheating wax paper above 250F can cause paraffin wax to smoke and break down. This is a use-error risk, not a manufacturing defect, but relevant for oven or grill applications.
Fluorinated grease-resistant compounds (unconfirmed)
PFAS compounds (such as Teflon-type coating or C6/C8 fluorinated precursors) are commonly used in industrial wax-paper greaseproofing; Norpro does not disclose whether this product uses them. This is flagged separately in PFAS grade (Poor, 25/100).
Mold or bacterial growth if stored damp
Paper substrate can absorb moisture and support mold if stored in humid environments. This is not a product defect but a storage practice issue.
Coating separation or cracking over time
Wax coatings can crack or peel with age, exposure to heat, or cold storage, reducing effectiveness and potentially exposing uncoated paper. Visual inspection before each use is prudent.
What’s reassuring
Mineral oil or petroleum wax leaching
Paraffin and mineral wax coatings are not known to leach into food under normal storage and use conditions. Migration is possible only if wax is damaged or exposed to high heat or solvents.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Norpro Square Wax Paper is paper coated with a paraffin or mineral wax blend to create a grease barrier. The wax coating prevents oil and moisture from penetrating the paper, making it useful for food wrapping and baking. Wax paper itself is not toxic, but the specific wax formulation (paraffin, soy-based, or petroleum-derived) and whether it contains fluorinated compounds affects safety. Traditional wax paper uses paraffin, which is inert when not overheated.
The brand's record and disclosure
Target as a retailer has no widely documented stance on PFAS in its house-brand wax paper. Norpro (the manufacturer) does not publicly disclose whether their wax coating contains fluorinated greaseproofing agents. No major recalls or safety warnings have been issued for this specific product. Target's general food-contact products do not carry PFAS-free certifications that would clarify the grease-resistant mechanism.
How it compares in its category
Standard wax paper is considered lower-risk than parchment paper coated with silicone in terms of thermal stability, though both are common. PFAS-free wax paper options exist but are not widely marketed. Compared to plastic wrap or aluminum foil, wax paper avoids microplastic shedding and aluminum leaching, making it a middle-ground choice. The lack of transparency on greaseproofing chemistry is typical across mass-market wax paper brands.
If you buy it
Do not use wax paper above 250F; wax will smoke and potentially release compounds. For baking, use parchment paper instead if temperatures exceed that threshold. Replace sheets if the wax coating shows visible wear, cracking, or discoloration. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent wax softening. For direct food contact (wrapping deli items), it presents lower concern; avoid prolonged storage of acidic foods, as citric acid can degrade wax over months.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Norpro 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.