PFAS25/ 100Poor
Overall13/ 100Bad
Bag,Ppr,Sandwh,Grs Resist Ct

Westrock · Bakery Bags

Bag,Ppr,Sandwh,Grs Resist Ct

Poor

Confirm the specific grease-resistant treatment with Westrock before purchase; paper food packaging often uses PFAS coatings.

Verdict: SkipPaper sandwich bag with unconfirmed grease-resistant coating; PFAS risk unaddressed by Westrock; acceptable for dry/room-temperature use only.

This Westrock paper sandwich bag has a grease-resistant coating typical of food-service packaging, but the specific treatment chemistry is not disclosed. Grease resistance in paper has historically relied on PFAS-based Teflon-family coating.

The safe swap

Duro Bag 71010 Heavy-Duty Kraft Grocery Bag

Duro Bag Manufacturing

Duro Bag 71010 Heavy-Duty Kraft Grocery Bag

70/100 safety

70Good

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

paper with grease-resistant coating (unspecified)

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.

65/ 100
♾️

Category baseline

PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.

75/ 100
♾️

No PFAS disclosure

The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.

85/ 100
♾️

PFAS

Grease-resistant paper coatings frequently use PFAS compounds; Westrock has not disclosed the specific treatment for this product. Contact with fatty foods (cheese, oils, meats) may increase migration risk. PFAS do not break down in the environment or body and accumulate over time with repeated exposure.

Source: ATSDR
70/ 100
🫧

Coating degradation and particle release

Paper bag coatings can chip, peel, or fragment with age, moisture exposure, or thermal stress. Microscopic coating particles may contaminate food. Bags stored in humid environments or exposed to temperature fluctuations are at higher risk.

70/ 100
♾️

PFAS

Some grease-resistant coatings use food-grade mineral oil or silicone, which carry low toxicity risk but may transfer to food in small quantities. This is a secondary concern compared to PFAS but occurs if that is the coating chemistry.

Source: ATSDR
70/ 100

What’s reassuring

Ink migration from printed surfaces

No specific recalls or reports for Westrock sandwich bags. However, if bags are printed with food-contact inks, older or degraded printing may transfer solvents or pigments to food. This is uncommon with commercial bakery bags but can occur if bags are stored improperly or exposed to solvents.

95/ 100
🍼

BPA & bisphenols

Westrock does not advertise recycled content for this line. If recycled fiber is used, prior contamination (lead, cadmium, BPA from electronics or coatings) is a theoretical but unconfirmed risk. Manufacturer composition details would clarify this.

Source: FDA
95/ 100

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

This is a paper bag with a grease-resistant coating applied to the interior or surface to prevent oil and moisture penetration. The specific coating chemistry is not disclosed by Westrock on standard product labeling. Grease-resistant coatings on food paper commonly use fluorochemical compounds (PFAS), silicone, wax, or clay-based systems. Without manufacturer confirmation, the true composition remains unknown, which is the primary safety concern for this product.

The brand's record and disclosure

Westrock, a major North American paper packaging manufacturer, has not publicly disclosed specific grease-resistant treatment chemistry for its sandwich bag lines or committed to PFAS-free alternatives in standard communications. The company has faced no major recalls or safety actions for this product category. However, silence on coating composition is common in the industry and reflects a lack of transparency rather than inherent safety, confirmation requires direct contact with the manufacturer.

How it compares in its category

Most grease-resistant paper food bags in the US market use PFAS-based coatings (particularly PFOA or GenX replacements) because fluorochemicals are extremely effective water and oil barriers. Westrock's offering is standard for the category; no differentiation toward PFAS-free coatings is advertised. Wax-paper or silicone-coated alternatives exist but are less common and may be more expensive or harder to source at retail.

If you buy it

Use these bags only for room-temperature or chilled sandwiches and baked goods; do not heat contents in the bag or microwave. Replace bags immediately if visible tears or moisture damage occurs, as coating degradation may increase leaching risk. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent coating breakdown. Before regular purchase, contact Westrock directly to confirm the grease-resistant coating is PFAS-free; if they cannot confirm, consider wax-paper alternatives or bags explicitly labeled PFAS-free.

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
Westrock has made none

Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.

Safer alternatives in Bakery Bags

Duro Bag 25 lb Short Heavy Duty Kraft Grocery Bag

Duro Bag Manufacturing

Duro Bag 25 lb Short Heavy Duty Kraft Grocery Bag

Unbleached kraft paper

PFAS Grade70Good
Overall Grade66Good
⚠️

Mold or microbial growth on stored paper

Limited concern

70

Lower concern as uncoated kraft is unlikely to contain PFAS, though Duro offers no transparency.

Risky category by default

Duro Bag 71010 Heavy-Duty Kraft Grocery Bag

Duro Bag Manufacturing

Duro Bag 71010 Heavy-Duty Kraft Grocery Bag

kraft paper, uncoated or minimal treatment

PFAS Grade70Good
Overall Grade66Good
⚠️

Mold and microbial contamination

Limited concern

70

Lower PFAS concern; uncoated kraft bags rarely need fluorinated water or grease barriers.

Risky category by default

5 1/4" x 7 1/2" Kraft Bakery Bag w/ Clear Front

If You Care

5 1/4" x 7 1/2" Kraft Bakery Bag w/ Clear Front

Kraft paper with unbleached cellulose; clear window (likely cellulose film or polyester); no added fluorinated treatment

PFAS Grade70Good
Overall Grade54Good
⚠️

Ink and dyes on printed surfaces

Limited concern

70
🫧

Cellulose film window degradation and microparticles

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Adhesive or glue residues (window seal)

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Mold and bacterial growth if moisture intrusion occurs

Limited concern

70

Lower concern as kraft plus clear window design avoids typical PFAS treatment.

MADE SAFE (If You Care holds this certification for select products)

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

More bakery bags 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.