Parchment Paper

I’ve been using unbleached parchment paper for about 10 years. After reading about possible concerns, I decided to look into it more carefully. What it actually is

• Most baking parchment is cellulose paper with a thin silicone coating for release.
• The silicone is different from the older PFAS grease-proofers that used to be in some food packaging. Those were phased out of U.S. food-contact paper by 2024.
• Independent testing has shown non-detect or very low fluorine levels on several unbleached silicone-coated brands (such as If You Care and Katbite). Quilon (chromium-based) coatings are older and less common now.

Heat and migration

• At normal oven temperatures (within the 420–450 °F rating on the box), measurable migration of the silicone coating is very low.
• Going over the rated temperature can make the paper darken and brittle, and some studies have found siloxanes or other compounds can move into fatty foods under high heat.
• Unbleached mainly avoids the bleaching step — it does not remove the coating.

How I use it

• I still use it to line pans sometimes.
• When I need to cover a lasagna pan, I put parchment against the food and foil on top so the foil isn’t sitting directly on the food.
• For covering glass containers with foil: low-risk for cold or short storage. For hot food, a glass lid, silicone lid, or plate is better — foil is mainly a contact issue if it sits against acidic or salty food for long periods.

Bottom line If you want to reduce exposure further without giving up the convenience: look for brands that explicitly say silicone-coated and unbleached, stay inside the printed temperature, and use glass or bare stainless when non-stick isn’t essential. I find it fine for occasional use. It’s not zero, but it’s also not the high-exposure problem that plastic film or old PFAS papers were.

This is the parchment paper I mainly use:

Discount code ATJ5704

https://iherb.co/QXNV991r

• FSC® & Compostable Certified
• Unbleached Totally Chlorine-Free (TCF)
• USDA Certified Biobased Product – Product 100%
• Completely Non-Stick
• No Toxic Additives
• Won’t Affect Taste of Food

Full Disclaimer: I’m an affiliate for some of the products I recommend, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase through my links—at no extra cost to you. Every penny helps keep this community free and the truth flowing.