Unbleached Parchment · Fast Food Wrappers
Member's Mark Unbleached Parchment Paper 205 sq. ft. 2 pk.
Avoid unless the manufacturer discloses coating chemistry, as parchment paper routinely uses PFAS.
Member's Mark parchment paper lacks public disclosure of its water and grease-resistant coating composition. Parchment paper commonly uses PFAS for non-stick and barrier properties, and without certification or PFAS-free claims, coating source remains unknown.
The safe swap
Reynolds Wrap
Reynolds Aluminum Foil Wrap Heavy Duty
70/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Good.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Cellulose paper with undisclosed water/grease-resistant coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Coating leaching (undisclosed fluorinated or silicone compounds)
The water-and-grease-resistant coating on parchment paper is typically fluorinated polymer (PFAS family) or silicone. Member's Mark does not disclose which. Heat accelerates leaching; risk rises sharply above 400F but possible even at lower temperatures with fatty foods.
Thermal degradation of coating
Parchment paper coatings break down at 420-450F. Exposure above this threshold may produce volatile degradation byproducts or visible coating fragments in food. No brand-specific data on this product's thermal stability is published.
Microplastics
Repeated use, mechanical friction, and moisture exposure can shed microscopic polymer particles from the coating into food or compost. Risk is small per use but cumulative with high-frequency application over months.
Source: EPA ↗Mold or bacterial growth if stored damp
Cellulose is hygroscopic and can support mold if stored in high humidity or exposed to moisture. Proper dry storage mitigates this risk.
What’s reassuring
Chlorine residues (minimal, due to unbleached claim)
Unbleached parchment avoids hypochlorite bleaching, so dioxin and residual chlorine are not expected. This is a genuine advantage over white parchment paper.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Member's Mark unbleached parchment is cellulose paper treated with a water and grease-resistant coating whose composition is not publicly disclosed. Unbleached parchment avoids chlorine-based bleaching, reducing dioxin risk compared to white varieties. However, the non-stick and moisture barrier properties almost certainly derive from fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or silicone, neither of which the manufacturer acknowledges. This opacity is the core safety concern for food contact use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Member's Mark (Costco's private label) has not published safety data sheets or coating composition for this product line. No independent recalls or safety actions specific to this parchment are on record. However, the industry-wide silence on parchment paper PFAS content reflects a gap in regulatory scrutiny rather than proof of safety. Costco does not market this item with food-safety certifications or third-party testing claims.
How it compares in its category
Parchment paper is inherently higher-risk than alternatives like silicone baking mats or uncoated kraft paper because the coating is essential to function, making you cannot avoid contact. Member's Mark's unbleached variant is a modest step up versus bleached parchment in reducing chemical processing, but the coating chemistry remains opaque. Ceramic-coated reusable alternatives and bare cast iron/stainless steel eliminate coating leach risk entirely but require different handling.
If you buy it
Keep use below 420F (parchment degrades at 420-450F and coating integrity becomes uncertain). Replace the roll if you notice darkening, brittleness, or flaking. Reserve it for low-to-moderate heat applications: baking cookies, roasting vegetables below 400F, wrapping sandwiches. For high-heat cooking (frying, broiling, or oven use above 420F), switch to silicone mats or bare pans. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to slow coating breakdown.
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
- Unbleached Parchment has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Fast Food Wrappers
Reynolds Wrap
Reynolds Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil Roll
aluminum foil (bare)
Aluminum leaching into acidic or salty foods
Limited concern
Sharp edges and mechanical injury
Moderate concern
Lower concern since bare aluminum foil does not require PFAS treatments.
⚠Risky category by default
Reynolds Wrap
Reynolds Aluminum Foil Wrap Heavy Duty
Aluminum foil, uncoated
Aluminum leaching (acidic/salt contact)
Limited concern
Metal particle shedding
Limited concern
Thermal stability under high heat
Moderate concern
Lower concern since plain aluminum foil carries minimal PFAS risk, though the brand offers no explicit statement.
⚠Risky category by default
If You Care
Parchment Baking Paper
silicone-coated parchment paper
Silicone coating degradation over time
Limited concern
Lower concern since credible brand transparency and third-party backing substantially reduce PFAS risk.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More fast food wrappers 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.