Reynolds · Grease-Resistant Deli & Butcher Paper
Reynolds Kitchens Countertop Prep Paper
Grease-resistant paper often uses PFAS with no disclosure available.
Reynolds countertop prep paper carries a grease-resistant coating common in food-contact papers, which frequently contain PFAS. The brand provides no public statement on PFAS content.
The better-graded swap
If You Care
If You Care Parchment Baking Sheets
90/100 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 grease-resistant 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.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Fluorocarbon coatings are industry standard for this product class and persist indefinitely in the body. Reynolds provides no disclosure of formulation or PFAS-free alternatives, leaving end users unable to assess exposure risk.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and particle shedding
Grease saturation or mechanical wear can cause polymer coating to flake or migrate into food. No published studies on Reynolds prep paper specifically, but degradation risk increases with heat, folding, and repeated use.
Thermal migration at high temperatures
If paper contacts foods heated significantly above room temperature, polymers in the coating may soften or leach into food. Reynolds does not specify safe temperature limits for this product.
Microplastic or coating residue ingestion
Torn or abraded areas of paper may shed coating fragments into food, particularly if paper is used as a food-contact surface for extended periods or with acidic/fatty foods.
Lack of ingredient transparency
Reynolds Kitchens does not disclose PFAS content or alternatives on packaging or website. This prevents informed choice and aligns with industry practice but limits consumer risk assessment.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Reynolds Kitchens Countertop Prep Paper is paper substrate coated with a grease-resistant polymer layer, typically fluorocarbon-based (PFAS) to repel oils and fats. The coating prevents grease migration but introduces persistent chemical exposure during food contact, especially at warm temperatures. Paper itself is inert, but the coating is where hazard concentrates. Reynolds does not publicly disclose the specific chemistry of their grease-resistant formulation.
The brand's record and disclosure
Reynolds Kitchens (part of Reynolds Consumer Products) has not published ingredient transparency or PFAS-free certifications for their prep papers. The company maintains silence on fluorocarbon use in this product category despite industry-wide PFAS scrutiny. No recalls or regulatory warnings specific to this product are on record. Target (the retailer) does not add independent testing or vendor requirements beyond compliance.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial grease-resistant deli and butcher papers use PFAS for durability and food safety certification compliance. Alternatives include uncoated kraft paper (absorbs grease, limits heat use) or silicone-coated paper (not a material linked to PFAS, but pricier and less common). Reynolds' formulation is standard industry practice; no evidence suggests their coating is worse or better than competitor brands. Wax paper is not a material linked to PFAS but unsuitable for raw meat and oils.
If you buy it
Use only for short-term wrapping of room-temperature or chilled foods; avoid direct contact with hot or fatty items heated above 140F (60C). Replace paper immediately if grease saturation occurs, as degrading coating may shed particles. Do not use for baking or high-heat cooking. Limit frequency to occasional use; rotate with uncoated or silicone alternatives for regular meal prep to reduce cumulative PFAS exposure.
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
- Reynolds 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.