What Is Food Grade Paper? Types, Uses, and Safety Standards

Food businesses and consumers may be concerned about food packaging. They want to deliver food in protected and food-safe packaging. Basically, packaging is a core part of any business. 

Businesses should be careful about the packaging materials to secure and improve their brand integrity. The most prominent material of packaging is paper that make different designs of boxes to pack food and other products. 

So if you run a food business, you may want to know about food-grade paper that is safe for your baked and dry foods. Here we will explore what food-grade paper is, including its types and safety standards. After learning this, you will be able to use paper safely for your food packaging.

What Is Food Grade Paper?

Food grade paper is any FDA-approved paper material. It has been certified safe for direct and indirect contact with food products. This food paper is not similar to office and industrial paper. It is made from pure virgin-grade and approved food-safe recycled fibres. Manufacturers focus on processing this paper without toxic chemicals. They avoid heavy metals that could migrate into food. Therefore, this paper is food-safe and available in various types to protect food without any harmful dyes. 

Types of Food Grade Papers

Food grade papers are made in different types to fulfill different needs of the food business. Additionally, food-grade paper should meet strict safety standards of the FDA and other food regulatory authorities. Here is a list of food-safe papers. 

• Parchment Paper
• Greaseproof Paper
• Wax Paper
• Butcher Paper
• Kraft Paper
• Paperboard Paper

Parchment Paper Use and Safety Concerns

A parchment paper is food-safe for everyday cooking and baking items. The modern parchment paper is coated with inert and food-safe silicone that withstands oven heat up to 450 degrees temperature without leaching chemicals. 

Common Culinary Uses 

• Baking and Roasting 
• Cooking En Papillote
• Food Wrapping and Prep
• Skillet Cooking

Safety Concerns 

Parchment paper is not flameproof and can ignite if exposed to broilers. Overhanging edges can touch oven heating elements and catch fire on burners. Standard food-grade coatings are considered safe. They can be harmful when not used carefully. Additionally, bright white parchment paper can leave trace dioxin residues. But unbleached paper does not leave them. So you should be careful about:

• Temperature limits
• Chemical Coatings
• Bleaching Byproducts
• Degradation from Reuse

Wax Paper use and safety concerns

Wax paper is coated with food-safe paraffin for moisture and grease resistance. It is ideal for wrapping and lining baked food. But it is unsuitable for ovens and high temperatures. 

Common Uses of Wax Paper 

• Food wrapping
• Tray and basket lining
• Cold food prep and storage
• light baking

Safety Concerns

The wax paper is made with food-grade materials, but it also comes with a PFAS chemical coating that can cause health risks. So, you should keep these safety aspects in mind:

• Avoid high temperature
• Use PFAS-free paper
• Avoid non-food-grade inks and bleaches

Greaseproof Paper Use and Safety Aspects

Greaseproof paper is designed to block oils and fats from soaking and keeping food safe from direct contact. It is not similar to wax paper in providing a barrier coating. It has tightly compressed fibres which are food-safe if not coated with PFAS formulations. 

Common Culinary & Packaging Uses

• Direct food wrapping
• Basket and tray liners
• Dairy and Charcuterie storage
• Light baking and prep

Safety Aspects

• Avoid PFAS formulation
• Limit the heat and oven temperature
• Use food-safe inks and dyes
• FAD approved

Quick Comparison of Greaseproof / Parchment / Wax Paper

The Effects of Using Butcher Paper for Safety

To avoid moisture, brands can rely on butcher paper. However, it is made from durable kraft paper used for greaseproof solutions. Being FDA-approved, it helps businesses establish a trusted brand identity. Using this paper helps you handle hot and cold foods. Best to avoid leaching harmful impacts. 

Common Uses

Food grade butcher paper is a suitable choice for shops. It is mostly used for:

• BBQ roasting
• Fresh meat wrapping
• Deli Service needs
• Sanitary prep 

Basic Safety Rules

When you follow the rules, the paper will be food-safe. The important rules are:

• Observe heat limits
• Limit freezer storage time
• Avoid waxed coating
• Avoid plastic-coated paper

Kraft Paper use and safety concerns

Kraft paper is suitable for direct food contact. But standard kraft paper can be unsafe for food. Because it often contains recycled fibres and toxic chemicals. 

Common Food Uses

Due to its high tear resistance, kraft paper is utilized in food service. The common uses are:

• BBQ wrapping
• Bakery Wraps
• Takeout Containers
• Tray and basket liners

Important Safety Concerns

The paper can come with several risks. You should check:

• PFAS-free
• Coating 
• Liners
• Inks and adhesives
• Bleaching agents

Conclusion:

These are the papers that are food safe and you can pick for your food services. Every paper has its own features and uses. You can use dedicated paper for your particular food packaging and wrapping. Our fully tested papers are available at Waxpapers Canada for food businesses at affordable rates. You can explore our available food-safe bags, papers, and boxes for your food packaging. Contact us right now to get the best packaging!