FDA Phase-Out of PFAS in Food Packaging Raises Questions on Parchment Paper Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in February 2024 a market phase-out of grease-proofing substances containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in paper and paperboard food packaging. However, this notice does not explicitly mention parchment or baking paper, leading to ongoing consumer questions about the safety of these products. While many parchment paper manufacturers state their products are silicone-coated, none of the Amazon listings checked explicitly claim to be PFAS-free. Independent spot checks, such as one commissioned by a consumer blog, found no detectable fluorine in brands like If You Care and Katbite, while regular white Reynolds and Costco's Kirkland showed low levels of total fluorine. The concern about dioxins in bleached paper, stemming from past pulp mill practices, has largely been addressed by EPA regulations in 1998, which significantly reduced dioxin levels in mill wastewater.
