Does Parchment Paper Have PFAS?

You upgraded your baking pans to PFAS-free options. But what about the paper you line them with?

Parchment paper is one of the most common kitchen consumables. Home bakers use it multiple times per week, often at temperatures above 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If that paper contains PFAS, every sheet delivers a dose of forever chemicals directly onto your food.

How PFAS End Up in Parchment Paper

Traditional parchment paper gets its non-stick properties from a silicone coating. Silicone is inert, heat-stable, and does not contain PFAS. This is the safe version.

The problem arises when manufacturers substitute PFAS-based coatings for silicone. PFAS coatings are cheaper to apply and provide excellent grease resistance, which is why they show up in food packaging, fast-food wrappers, and yes, some parchment paper brands.

The challenge for consumers is that packaging rarely discloses the specific coating chemistry. Labels say "non-stick" without specifying whether that means silicone or fluoropolymer.

How to Identify PFAS-Free Parchment Paper

There are a few reliable ways to identify safe parchment paper:

Check for silicone coating disclosure. Brands that use silicone coatings typically say so on the packaging because it is a selling point. If the box says "silicone-coated," that is a strong indicator it is PFAS-free.

Look for certifications. Compostable certifications (BPI, OK Compost) are a positive signal. Products seeking compostability certification cannot contain PFAS because PFAS do not biodegrade. If the parchment paper is certified compostable, it is almost certainly PFAS-free.

Avoid anything labeled "quilon-coated." Quilon is a chromium-based coating that, while not technically PFAS, raises its own health concerns. It is worth avoiding alongside PFAS coatings.

Contact the manufacturer. Ask directly whether their parchment paper contains any fluorinated compounds or PFAS. Reputable brands will answer this question.

Brands That Are PFAS-Free

Several parchment paper brands have been verified or widely recognized as PFAS-free:

These brands use silicone coatings and have either been independently tested or have confirmed PFAS-free status through direct manufacturer disclosure.

What About Other Baking Supplies?

Parchment paper is not the only baking consumable worth examining. Several related products can also carry PFAS:

Cupcake liners and baking cups. Paper cupcake liners may use grease-resistant PFAS coatings. Look for uncoated paper or silicone liners instead.

Cooking spray. Some non-stick cooking sprays contain PFAS-related compounds as propellants or anti-foaming agents. Choose sprays with simple ingredient lists: oil, lecithin, and a propellant like carbon dioxide.

Aluminum foil. Standard aluminum foil does not contain PFAS. However, some "non-stick" foil products add coatings that may include fluorinated compounds. Plain foil is the safer choice.

Silicone baking mats. These are generally PFAS-free and are a reusable alternative to parchment paper. A quality silicone mat can replace thousands of parchment sheets over its lifetime.

The Bigger Picture

Parchment paper is a small item, but you use it constantly. Over a year of regular baking, you might go through 100 or more sheets. Each one sits in direct contact with your food at high heat for 20 to 60 minutes. That is significant cumulative exposure if the paper contains PFAS.

The fix is straightforward: switch to a silicone-coated brand or use reusable silicone baking mats. It is one of the easiest and cheapest PFAS-free swaps in the kitchen.

For a complete guide to PFAS-free baking equipment, see our PFAS-Free Bakeware Guide. And if you are rethinking your entire kitchen setup, start with Where PFAS Hide in Your Kitchen for the full picture.