US Foods · Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
Butcher Paper Rolls
Butcher paper likely poses lower concern, but grease resistance origin remains uncertain.
US Foods' butcher paper typically uses kraft paper with polyethylene coating for moisture resistance. PFAS status is not publicly disclosed, and grease-resistant properties may or may not involve fluorochemicals.
The safe swap
Sam's Club
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
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
Kraft paper with PE coating, grease-resistant treatment
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.
PFAS
US Foods does not disclose whether the water and oil repellency is achieved via PFAS, fluorinated polymers, silicone, or mineral wax. If non-PFAS chemistry is used, risk is minimal; transparency gap prevents confirmation of safest formulation.
Source: ATSDR ↗Kraft paper degradation and microbial growth (storage/handling)
Kraft paper absorbs moisture and can support mold or bacterial growth if stored in humid conditions or if the coating is compromised. This is a handling and storage issue, not an inherent hazard of the material itself.
What’s reassuring
Polyethylene (PE) coating food migration under heat
PE is FDA-compliant for food contact and generally does not leach additives into cold or room-temperature foods. Risk increases if paper is used at high temperatures; data on migration from this specific product is not published.
Ink or printing contaminants (if printed)
Butcher paper rolls are typically unprinted on the food-contact surface, so ink migration is not a concern for this product. Any printed branding is on the outer surface away from food.
Chlorine residues from kraft pulping (historical concern)
Modern kraft pulp is processed to remove chlorine-based bleaching residues. No current data suggests chlorine-related contamination in food-contact kraft paper from major suppliers like US Foods.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
US Foods butcher paper is kraft paper (cellulose fibers) coated with polyethylene (PE) plastic on one or both sides for moisture and grease resistance. Kraft paper itself is a standard food-contact material with a long safety track record. The PE coating is FDA-compliant for food contact, but the specific grease-resistant treatment applied to achieve water and oil repellency is not publicly detailed by the brand. This opacity is the main concern, since some grease-resistant coatings historically relied on PFAS chemistry (covered separately) or other additives.
The brand's record and disclosure
US Foods is a major foodservice distributor with no published transparency statement on PFAS in packaging or grease-resistant treatments. The company has not disclosed material safety data sheets or third-party certifications (e.g., NSF, compostability standards) for this specific product line. No recalls or safety incidents specific to US Foods butcher paper are on record. Lack of proactive disclosure is typical for commodity foodservice packaging but limits independent verification of coating chemistry.
How it compares in its category
Butcher paper is one of the safest food-contact packaging options available, preferred over plastic wrap or foil-lined papers for many applications. Most butcher paper on the market uses PE or other non-PFAS coatings, though some competitors may use PFAS-based grease resistance (particularly if marketed as very high water/oil barrier). US Foods' butcher paper sits in the mainstream segment: functional and affordable, but without the transparency or premium certifications of specialty brands that explicitly certify PFAS-free or compostable materials.
If you buy it
Use butcher paper as intended: wrapping fresh or frozen meat, baked goods, and deli items at normal cold/room temperatures. Avoid direct contact with hot foods (above 160F/70C) for extended periods, as this may degrade the PE coating or cause migration of any coating additives. Replace rolls if the paper tears, yellows excessively, or the coating peels; these signs indicate degradation. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture absorption and microbial growth in the kraft layer.
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
- US Foods has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
Sam's Club
Member's Mark Heavy Duty Food Service Foil
Aluminum foil
Aluminum leaching from acidic foods
Limited concern
Lower risk. Plain aluminum foil typically does not contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Sam's Club
Idl Packaging White Butcher Paper 18" x 12000" Natural Butcher Paper Roll for Meat and Fish
unbleached natural kraft paper
Grease and mineral oil migration
Limited concern
Lower risk. Uncoated paper rarely contains PFAS chemicals.
⚠Risky category by default
IDL Packaging PFAS-Free Grease-Proof Paper Sheets
paper with grease-resistant coating
PFAS
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from coating under wear
Limited concern
Brand claims PFAS-free but lacks independent lab verification.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More grease-resistant butcher & deli 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.