Kroger stores had a diverse array of baking supplies, and a limited supply of food serviceware and cook-at-home food with paper trays. None of these items had likely PFAS treatment in our testing.
GIFBERA (Finish brand) Unbleached Parchment Baking Paper — non-detect (silicone coating) If You Care Parchment Baking Paper — non-detect (silicone coating) If You Care Baking Sheets — non-detect (updated 12/24)(silicone coating) Katbite Parchment Baking Paper — non-detect (silicone coating)
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is announcing that grease-proofing materials containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are no longer being sold for use in food packaging in the U.S. This means the major source of dietary exposure to PFAS from food packaging like fast-food wrappers, microwave ...
They concluded that the most likely reason the Kirkland brand tested positive at all is because of accidental exposure to fluorine at some other point in the manufacturing process, seeming to further back up the fact that PFAS chemicals really are everywhere.
Coated with silicone, parchment paper is nonstick, grease-proof, heat resistant and, as I've discovered, waterproof. It's oven safe up to 425 F. Unlike plastic, the raw material used to make food grade silicone is sand (silica and carbon) not synthetic polymers, and it doesn't contain BPA, BPS or latex.
Do not ever use parchment or wax paper in the broiler. Despite its heat resistance, parchment paper can't handle the heat of any broiler, which can reach temperatures upward of 500°F. And wax paper? It should never come near the high heat of the oven or broiler.
To get its non-stick properties, baking paper is coated either with a substance called "quilon" or with silicone; the former is considered less safe.
PFAS may be used as a nonstick agent or as a lubricant in the manufacturing process that sticks to all aluminum foil, and aluminum is considered a neurotoxin that can leach into food.
PFAS in packaging can leach into food and drink, where they can be ingested. Studies shows that over 90% of the population have detectable levels of these chemicals in our blood. Up to half of all paper wrappers and 20% of all paperboard/cardboard containers may contain PFAS.
PFAS have been reported in various food packaging in numerous published articles and reports, however, no reports were found on PFAS in plastic storage bags.
There is no current treatment to remove PFAS from the body; this means that preventing and/or reducing future exposures is the most important step you can take to protect yourself and your family.
Vendor price sheets may list each product line's third-party certifications, disclosed chemicals and ingredients, and note if product lines have an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) or Health Product Declaration (HPD), which may disclose whether the product has PFAS.
Naked Sprout bamboo and recycled toilet rolls do not contain PFAS, and we hope this run-down of the science is reassuring to our customers!
The Teflon brand revolutionized such products, but the use of PFAS is widespread across many nonstick cookware brands. PFAS are also often behind any product that boasts waterproof or stain-resistant properties.
Which Side Goes Up? Here's the good news: most parchment paper is coated on both sides. “I can't speak for other brands, but our parchment—both the roll and sheets—is double sided meaning you can use either side,” Jenna Davis, director of brand marketing at If You Care, explained in an email.
If concerned, opt for unbleached parchment paper. Alternative Choices: For those concerned about health, unbleached parchment paper or alternatives like wax paper or aluminum foil (for high-temperature baking) can be safer choices.
Summary: In a pinch, greasing your pans or baking molds can work in place of parchment paper. Be sure to coat your pans with a thin layer of flour for best results.
However, this is not without its own drawbacks. Unbleached wood fibers can contaminate food with which they come into contact, and since lignin is the component responsible for wood charring when burnt, unbleached parchment paper could be more prone to smoking at high temperatures6.
Those results were confirmed in the NHANES group. Participants who consumed more tea, hot dogs and processed meats had higher PFAS levels; eating more home-prepared food was linked to lower PFAS levels.
Avoiding PFAS while cooking
There are many coatings and materials marketed as healthy alternatives to non-stick, but cast-iron and stainless steel are time-tested and proven to be safe.
Is unbleached parchment paper safe to use in the oven or a convection oven? Yes, Reynolds Kitchens® Unbleached Parchment Paper is oven safe up to 425°F. Never touch the parchment paper to an open flame or to the sides of the oven, and do not use with a broiling unit or toaster oven.
But if you are concerned about chemicals that might leech into your food, Rogers recommends using unbleached parchment paper during cooking. “If they work the same, why not play it safe?” Rogers says. “If you have a choice, go ahead and use the unbleached [parchment paper] in your cooking.”
The terms parchment and vellum are also used in the paper making industry. Parchment paper is made from cellulose fibers prepared from fir trees or plants such as cotton or flax. Paper can be made which mimics the thickness and smooth surface of parchment.