US Foods · Grease-Resistant Butcher & Deli Paper
PaperChef Culinary Pink Butcher Paper
Grease-resistant coating is unclear, so PFAS risk cannot be ruled out.
Butcher paper typically uses food-grade coatings for grease resistance, most without PFAS disclosure. Coating type is unknown for this product, raising moderate concern.
The safe swap
Sam's Club
Member's Mark Heavy Duty Food Service Foil
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
Butcher paper with wax or silicone coating; grease-resistant treatment likely present
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
PFAS
The grease-resistant coating is not disclosed on available product information. If silicone-based, risk is minimal; if a non-PFAS Teflon-family coating or alternative polymer, thermal stability and food migration are unknown. Direct inquiry with US Foods is warranted before high-heat use.
Source: ATSDR ↗Thermal degradation of coating
Butcher paper coatings degrade when exposed to heat above typical storage temperatures. If the coating breaks down during smoking or wrapped food transport near heat sources, barrier effectiveness is lost and direct contact with uncoated kraft fibers may occur.
What’s reassuring
Ink or dye migration (printing on back side)
The pink color on PaperChef product is a distinguishing feature. No recalls or safety alerts for ink migration from this product line are on record, and food-contact paper inks are typically regulated; however, color source (pigment vs. dye) is not disclosed.
Fiber shedding or paper breakdown
Kraft paper is structurally stable when dry and at normal use temperatures. Shedding is unlikely unless paper is torn, wetted extensively, or exposed to prolonged heat. No product-specific issues are documented.
Microplastic or synthetic particle contamination
Butcher paper is cellulose-based and does not shed microplastics. The coating may contain synthetic polymers, but these do not fragment into microparticles under normal storage or handling conditions.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
PaperChef Culinary Pink Butcher Paper is kraft paper with a coating to resist grease and moisture. The paper itself is cellulose-based and inert, but the coating agent is not specified by US Foods on retail or packaging materials reviewed. Grease-resistant coatings on food-contact paper historically used fluorinated compounds (PFAS), though some manufacturers have shifted to silicone or other treatments. Without disclosure, the specific coating type and chemical composition cannot be verified.
The brand's record and disclosure
US Foods is a large foodservice distributor with no publicly documented PFAS phase-out commitments or transparency statements specific to butcher paper products. The company does not appear to have published ingredient or chemical composition details for this product line. No third-party certifications (such as certification of PFAS-free status) are visible on standard retail listings. This silence on coating chemistry is notable in a category where disclosure has become increasingly common.
How it compares in its category
Butcher paper is considered safer than plastic wraps for food contact because it is not derived from petroleum and does not leach plasticizers. However, competitor products (e.g., Kirkland, Freezer Queen) often label coating type explicitly as wax or silicone. US Foods' lack of clarity puts this product at a disadvantage in transparency, even if the coating itself is safe. Uncoated kraft paper is available but lacks grease resistance.
If you buy it
Use this paper for room-temperature and refrigerated storage of meats and fatty foods. Avoid direct contact with hot items above 140°F until coating identity is confirmed, as some fluorinated coatings may degrade under heat. Check the product label or contact US Foods directly to request coating composition before high-temperature use (smoking, grilling prep). Replace rolls if you observe coating separation, discoloration, or degradation, which may indicate breakdown of the barrier layer.
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
- 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.