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?