PFAS-Free Baking Paper: Safe Parchment Choices
Looking for PFAS-free baking paper? Here is what to know about parchment and forever chemicals, the FDA phase-out, and the safest unbleached options.
PFAS-Free Baking Paper: Safe Parchment Choices
Baking paper is the unsung hero of a no-fuss kitchen. Line a sheet pan, roast your veggies, lift out the cookies, toss the paper, done. But once you learn that grease-resistant coatings have historically been a hiding spot for PFAS, even something as humble as parchment deserves a second look. Here is the reassuring truth about PFAS-free baking paper, plus the simple labels to look for.
What’s Inside
- The short answer
- The PFAS and food-paper connection
- What to look for on the box
- Safe baking paper and reusable options
- Easy swaps for everyday baking
The short answer
Most parchment paper is coated with silicone, which is safe, not with PFAS. The concern has been other grease-resistant food papers, like fast-food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags, where PFAS was used to repel oil. The good news is that the FDA has phased PFAS grease-proofing agents out of the US food-paper supply. To be sure you are getting a clean product, choose unbleached, chlorine-free parchment that is silicone-coated, or skip disposable paper entirely with a reusable silicone mat.
The PFAS and food-paper connection
Here is the sticky backstory. PFAS earned a place in food packaging because they repel grease and water, which kept butter and oil from soaking through paper. Those coatings showed up on fast-food wrappers, take-out boxes, and microwave popcorn bags. The encouraging update: in February 2024, the FDA announced that grease-proofing substances containing PFAS are no longer being sold for food-contact use in the US, the result of a voluntary phase-out that began in 2020. In January 2025, the FDA went further and determined that 35 food-contact authorizations for PFAS grease-proofers on paper are no longer effective. That is a real win for anyone who lines a baking sheet.
It is worth being precise here: standard parchment paper generally relies on a silicone coating for its nonstick quality, not PFAS. The forever-chemical worry was always more about other grease-proofed papers. Still, “unbleached and silicone-coated” is the phrase that takes any guesswork off the table.
What to look for on the box
Shopping for clean baking paper is easy once you know the cues. Look for unbleached (natural brown) paper, which skips chlorine bleaching. Look for “silicone-coated” rather than vague “non-stick” claims. Favor brands that state they are free of PFAS, chlorine, and Quilon (a chromium-based coating some older papers used). And when in doubt, a reusable silicone baking mat sidesteps disposable paper completely. I compare paper types in my guide to parchment paper versus wax paper and more options in the PFAS Free Life database.
Safe baking paper and reusable options
Here are three picks that keep your baking clean, from disposable to reusable:
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Unbleached Parchment Paper Sheets (Precut) - Chlorine-free, unbleached precut sheets that make sheet-pan dinners and cookies easy with no bleaching chemicals.
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Precut Parchment Paper Baking Sheets (9x13) - Conveniently sized precut sheets for pans and air-fryer baskets, a tidy non-toxic alternative to nonstick spray.
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Extra-Thick Platinum Silicone Baking Mat - A reusable platinum food-grade silicone mat that replaces disposable paper entirely, year after year.
Easy swaps for everyday baking
The move here is simple and low-stress. Keep a box of unbleached, silicone-coated parchment for the jobs where paper shines (delicate cookies, fish, easy cleanup), and keep a reusable silicone mat for everyday roasting and baking. Skip the spray-on nonstick coatings, which are their own can of worms, and you have a baking setup that is clean from the sheet pan up. For more, see my roundup of PFAS-free parchment paper options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does parchment paper contain PFAS? Most parchment paper uses a silicone coating, not PFAS. PFAS grease-proofing was more common on wrappers and microwave popcorn bags, and the FDA phased those agents out of US food-contact paper as of early 2024. Choosing unbleached, silicone-coated parchment removes any doubt.
What is the difference between silicone-coated and PFAS-coated paper? Silicone coating gives parchment its nonstick quality and is considered safe. PFAS coatings were used for grease and water resistance on other food papers and are the forever-chemical concern. Look for “silicone-coated” on the label.
Is unbleached parchment paper safer? Unbleached parchment skips the chlorine bleaching process. Paired with a silicone (not Quilon) coating and a PFAS-free statement, it is a clean choice for baking.
What is the most eco-friendly baking paper option? A reusable platinum silicone baking mat replaces disposable paper entirely and lasts for years, making it the lowest-waste and lowest-worry option.