What Is Food Grade Paper? Types, Coatings, Certifications and Uses

Manufacturers make and test food grade paper for direct or indirect contact with food. You’ll find it across the UK food sector. For example, bakeries, takeaways, supermarkets and food factories all use it.

The difference between food grade paper and ordinary paper isn’t cosmetic. First, it must suit the food and the conditions of use. It must not pass unsafe levels of substances into the food. Nor should it change the food’s taste, smell or make-up. In addition, the paper must resist grease, hold moisture or cope with heat when the job demands it.

As a result, buyers need to understand the paper, its coatings and the evidence behind it. That knowledge protects both the product and the customer. At Kendon, we discuss these points with buyers every day.

What does “food grade paper” actually mean?

Put simply, food grade paper is paper that can safely touch food under set conditions.

However, those conditions matter. Paper that works for dry bread may fail with hot, oily, acidic or frozen food. Temperature and contact time can change how it performs. Moisture and fat levels matter too.

Therefore, manufacturers control the raw materials and the production process. They may also test the finished pack for chemical transfer, grease resistance, smell, taste, moisture and strength. The type of test depends on the intended use.

Appearance alone won’t give you the answer. Brown kraft, white paper and baking paper can all look suitable. Even so, only the supplier’s evidence can confirm the use of an exact grade. Always check that evidence against your food and process.

Types of food grade paper

Food grade kraft paper

Kraft paper is strong, flexible and natural-looking. Bakers and caterers use it for bags, takeaway wraps, sacks and food boxes. Suppliers offer both brown and white grades. Depending on the job, they may add grease resistance or a barrier layer.

However, “kraft” describes a paper-making process, not a food-safety approval. So ask the supplier to support the exact grade for direct or indirect contact. The evidence must also cover your conditions of use.

Greaseproof and parchment-style paper

Greaseproof paper slows the spread of oils and fats. Therefore, it works well for pastries, sandwiches, burgers and cheese. Ordinary paper may stain or weaken with those foods.

Baking and parchment papers perform a similar role. Some gain resistance from a dense fibre structure. Others use a treatment or coating. Before use, check whether the product suits wrapping, oven use or both. Its heat and contact limits may differ.

Food grade poly-coated paper

Poly-coated paper adds a polymer barrier to paper. This barrier improves resistance to moisture, grease and leaks. As a result, suppliers often recommend it for chilled food, meat, dairy products, cups and takeaway meals.

Still, the term covers several types of pack. Check the polymer, the number of coated sides and the safe temperature range. Because the pack mixes paper and plastic, it may need specialist recycling. Therefore, confirm the local collection route before calling it “easily recyclable”.

Coatings and linings

Food grade coated paper

Coatings help when plain paper cannot do the job alone. For example, they can block oil, water vapour, moisture or oxygen. Some coatings also help a pack to heat-seal. Common options include wax, water-based coatings and polymer layers. However, each option behaves differently in use and after disposal.

Crucially, the supplier must check the coating as part of the finished pack. A suitable paper base does not make every ink, adhesive, window or finish safe. Therefore, ask for evidence that covers the whole construction.

Food grade paper with a PE lining

PE, or polyethylene, gives paper a barrier against moisture and grease. You’ll see it on cups, cartons, wraps and trays. It also suits many wet or oily foods.

PE lining is practical and reliable. However, it creates a mixed-material pack. Some recyclers need to separate the paper and plastic, while others cannot process the pack. In addition, hot drinks, frozen products and fatty foods may need different grades and tests.

UK food-contact requirements

In Great Britain, food-contact rules set broad safety duties. A material must not pass harmful levels of substances into food. It must not change the food’s make-up, taste or smell in an unacceptable way. In addition, manufacturers must follow good manufacturing practice. Businesses must also keep the supply chain traceable.

However, no single paper-and-board approval covers every grade and use. The rules also depend on the full pack. For example, a plastic coating may bring extra requirements.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland also follow different routes in some areas. Under the Windsor Framework, certain EU food-contact rules still apply in Northern Ireland. Therefore, check the destination market as well as the product. This step matters most when a pack contains coatings or several materials.

This article gives general buying guidance, not legal advice. If you plan an unusual or high-heat use, seek specialist advice. Also confirm the current rules in every market where you will sell the pack.

Food safety documentation and certification

There is no universal “food grade” certificate for every paper and use. Instead, buyers need clear evidence for the exact material. That evidence must match the food, heat and contact time.

For example, the supplier may provide a compliance statement, test results and a technical data sheet. They may also give traceability records and details of factory controls. Some materials require a formal Declaration of Compliance. Even then, check the grade, parts, foods, temperatures and contact times that it covers.

When you compare suppliers, ask for documents that clearly identify:

• the exact paper or finished packaging grade;
• whether it is intended for direct or indirect food contact;
• the food types it is suitable for;
• safe temperature, contact-time and storage limits;
• restrictions for fatty, acidic, moist or alcoholic foods;
• the coating, ink, adhesive, liner, window and closure used;
• the standards, test methods and food simulants used, where relevant;
• the manufacturing site and batch traceability arrangements; and
• any instructions needed to keep the pack within its approved use.

FSC or PEFC certification covers fibre sourcing and chain of custody. However, it does not prove food-contact safety. A factory quality certificate also supports good process control. Even so, you still need evidence for the paper grade and the finished pack.

Can recycled paper be food grade?

Yes, recycled paper can suit food contact. However, it needs careful control. Recovered fibres may carry ink, adhesive or residue from an earlier use. Therefore, suppliers must consider the fibre source, cleaning process and factory controls. The food, barrier and contact conditions matter too.

So do not assume that recycled paper is unsafe. Equally, do not assume that every recycled paper suits food. Ask for evidence on the exact grade. Take extra care with fatty, moist or hot foods.

Common applications of food grade paper

Food-contact paper has many uses across retail, catering and manufacturing:

• Wrapping: The right paper contains grease from sandwiches, baked goods, deli products and burgers. It also keeps the food looking clean.
• Sacks: Strong paper holds flour, sugar, dry ingredients and bulk supplies. In addition, several paper layers can add strength or moisture protection.
• Boxes: Cakes, pizzas, sweets and takeaway meals may need grease resistance. Some boxes also need a liner or window.
• Containers: Cups, tubs, trays, bowls and cartons often use a coating. As a result, they resist leaks and hold their shape.
• Preparation: Food businesses use paper between slices of meat or cheese. They also use it on bakery counters, baskets and trays.
• Dry goods: Tea, coffee, cereal and baking ingredients need the right aroma and moisture barrier. Shelf life also shapes the final choice.

How to choose the right food grade paper

Start with the food, not the pack design. First, decide whether the product is dry, oily, acidic, frozen, chilled or hot. Next, note how long it will touch the paper. Finally, consider transport, storage, reheating and freezing.

Operations matter too. Paper that wraps well by hand may jam an automatic line. Likewise, a strong moisture barrier may make printing, sealing or recycling harder.

Before committing to a large order:

1. Define the food type, temperature, contact time and storage conditions.
2. Confirm whether contact is direct, indirect or separated by a functional barrier.
3. Ask for documentation covering the exact grade and finished construction.
4. Check printing, sealing and packing-line compatibility.
5. Test samples with the actual food, not just water or an empty pack.
6. Look for grease marks, leaks, tearing, odour or taste change, loss of strength and seal failure over the required shelf life.
7. Verify recyclability or disposal claims separately from food-contact safety.

Frequently asked questions

Is all paper suitable for food contact?

No. Office, craft and general paper may contain inks, adhesives or process chemicals. Suppliers may not have checked them for food contact. Therefore, choose paper that comes with evidence for your use.

Is all parchment paper food grade?

Not necessarily. Many baking papers suit food. However, you should still check the use, heat limit and contact time. Also check whether the supplier allows reuse.

Is all butcher paper food grade?

No. Manufacturers make some butcher paper for food preparation and wrapping. They make other grades for crafts, display or general use. So confirm direct-food-contact evidence for the exact grade.

What is the safest paper for wrapping food?

Choose paper with evidence for your food and process. Check the heat, fat, moisture and contact time. No single paper works best for every job.

Does FSC certification mean paper is food safe?

No. FSC certification concerns responsible fibre sourcing and chain of custody. In contrast, food safety needs separate evidence for the exact paper and use.

Does food grade paper need a Declaration of Compliance?

It depends on the pack and the rules that apply. Some materials require a formal Declaration of Compliance. Paper and board may use other written evidence and test records. Therefore, ask what law, grade and use the document covers. Do not rely on its title alone.

Talk to Kendon Packaging

Food grade paper protects food and supports hygiene. It also shapes the customer’s view of a product. However, colour and thickness tell only part of the story. The paper, coating, lining, heat limits and evidence must all match.

Whether you need wraps, sacks, boxes or coated containers, our team can help. We can work through the specification and provide the relevant documents. Get in touch with Kendon Packaging to discuss your needs. You can also request samples before placing a full order.

Sources and further reading

• Food Standards Agency: Food contact materials regulations
• Food Standards Scotland: Food contact materials
• Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
• Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 on good manufacturing practice for food-contact materials