When it comes to topics that reduce both our chemical exposure & reduce our waste, I’m all ears. That’s why I am incredibly passionate about unbleached baking paper (amongst other things ha!)… yep you heard it here first.
TYPES OF BAKING PAPER
There are two types of baking paper, both bleached (white) and un-bleached (brown). As you’d expect, the bleached baking paper has been treated with chlorine; unbleached baking paper (brown) has not.
Why is this an issue? Because when chlorine bleached parchment paper is heated, there is concern that it may leak a chemical called dioxin1. Dioxins (in high doses), have been linked to reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cancer.
Brown paper all the way (for me).
BUT WHAT ABOUT SILICONE? IS IT SAFE?
Unfortunately baking paper, regardless of whether or not it’s bleached or unbleached, is treated with a silicone coating to make it non-stick as well as moisture and heat resistant.
Whilst tests on medical-grade silicone, at low temperatures (body to room temperature) have proven that silicone is safe, there is some concern (whilst anecdotal and NOT backed by science), that high temperatures may cause leaching of not only silicone, but the fillers and additives used to produce other products such as silicone moulds, essentially making it’s way into our food. Again, the jury is out BUT, something worth noting.
WHAT DO I USE?
I personally use a stainless steel baking tray which reduces our need for baking paper (& waste). If I’m making a loaf of bread, I’ll grease a tray BUT if I need to use it, I opt for “If You Care” un-bleached baking paper. This product is also compostable so, if you can pop it into your compost bin without any worries.
WHAT SHOULD YOU USE?
The type of baking paper you use really comes down to personal preference. If you’re like me and like to reduce the amount of chemicals your exposed to on a daily basis, greasing your trays and using the old un-bleached baking paper where needed might just be the way to go.
UPDATE: I’ve also noticed that IGA and Coles are now stocking Multix Greener Unbleached Baking Paper which is also unbleached and chlorine free 🙂
WHAT DO YOU USE?
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THE EXPOSURE
TO CHLORINE WHEN COOKING?
Hi Alyse, I bought some “If you care unbleached parchment paper” today. Like yourself, I also make bread in my stainless steel baking tins but it still sticks mainly to the bottom, so I’m hoping a piece of parchment paper will help. Enjoyed your article, cheers.
Thank you for putting this out there. I’ve been concerned in general about bleached anything consumable. My husband was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration and I’ve been researching every thing I think of and checking possible links with AMD. That’s how I found your article. I’m changing over to Unbleached parchment and using even less of that. Thank you, again!
Or, we could use porcelain-coated pots and just a bit of grease of one’s choice and forget the issue of chemicals completely.
Hello!
I’ve just purchased the Multix Greener Unbleached Baking Paper which states it is non stick on both sides… it then goes onto describe European made Toluene free silicone – wondering if you have any thoughts on this? How does it compare to the ‘If You Care’ brand? Thanks!
The more we get back to natural the better I am ultra sensitive to any chemicals and have a really hard time researching everything I use so thank you for this good advice.
Both sound like good options! The key thing is that silicone coatings are generally considered food-safe and stable at baking temperatures when used as directed. Toluene-free is a positive, although it doesn’t necessarily tell us everything about the overall coating. If You Care has a strong reputation for its more environmentally conscious materials and manufacturing. I’d be comfortable with either, provided they meet food-contact safety standards.
I am not mad about that option at all! I use stainless steel pans and baking trays also.