Is Parchment Paper Toxic? What You Need to Know

Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz about ditching nonstick pans due to concerns over PFAS—those notorious “forever chemicals” linked to potential health risks. But did you know that your parchment paper could be another hidden source of these same toxins? Many brands use PFAS to enhance parchment’s nonstick and moisture-resistant properties, potentially leaching chemicals into your food and the environment.

To help you make safer choices in the kitchen, we turned to Leah Segedie, founder of the consumer advocacy site Mamavation and dubbed The PFAS Hunter by Consumer Reports. Read on to learn which parchment papers are truly PFAS-free—and how to reduce unwanted chemical exposure when baking, cooking, and storing food.

Parchment paper, aka baking paper, is a thin, vegetable-based product that is used in cooking and baking to prevent foods from…