PFAS in Butter Wrappers: What Moms Need to Know 2026 - Scrunchy Living

PFAS in Butter Wrappers: What Moms Need to Know 2026

Key Takeaways

  • PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been detected in the wrappers of popular butter brands, including some labeled organic, and can migrate into the butter itself.
  • PFAS exposure is associated with hormone disruption, immune suppression, and increased health risks that are especially concerning during pregnancy and early childhood.
  • Switching to butter packaged in foil, choosing PFAS-tested brands, or swapping to ghee are practical ways to reduce your family's exposure starting this week.

TL;DR:
- Popular butter wrappers have tested positive for PFAS, and those chemicals can transfer into the food you eat.
- Pregnant women and young children face the highest risk from PFAS exposure, including effects on fetal development and immune function.
- Foil-wrapped butter, vetted grass-fed brands, and ghee are the easiest swaps you can make right now.

If you butter toast every morning without a second thought, you're not alone, and you're definitely not doing anything wrong. But there's new research worth knowing about, especially if you're pregnant or feeding a baby or toddler.

Why Are PFAS Showing Up in Butter Wrappers?

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (meaning a large family of synthetic chemicals that don't break down in the environment or the human body), have been widely used in food packaging for one simple reason: they repel grease. That makes them extremely useful for wrapping something as fatty as butter.

In a consumer study cited widely by health researchers, Mamavation sent 32 butter wrappers from 22 brands to an EPA-certified laboratory and found indications of PFAS "forever chemicals" in multiple popular products, including some brands marketed as organic or premium. Mamavation published the full lab results, noting that fluorine levels consistent with PFAS were detected across several household names, noting that fluorine levels consistent with PFAS were detected across several household names.

The concern isn't just that the wrapper contains these chemicals. It's that PFAS can migrate from the packaging into the food itself, which means they can end up in your body every time you use that butter.

What this means for your family: The butter you've been trusting for years may be delivering a small but consistent dose of PFAS at every meal.

What Exactly Are PFAS, and Why Should Pregnant Moms Care?

PFAS are endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with your hormones. They're also linked to immune suppression and, based on current research, are associated with effects that are particularly concerning during pregnancy and early childhood. Research compiled by Mamavation and reviewed by Linda Birnbaum, scientist emeritus and former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, connects PFAS exposure to:

  • Reduced immune response and lower vaccine effectiveness in children
  • Increased risk of allergies and asthma in young children
  • Effects on infant growth, learning, and behavior
  • Elevated cholesterol levels
  • Metabolic conditions including obesity and diabetes
  • Thyroid disruption

During pregnancy, your baby is exposed to everything that crosses the placental barrier. PFAS have been detected in umbilical cord blood, which means fetal exposure is a documented reality, not a hypothetical one. NIH research identifies PFAS as a category of chemicals that warrant particular caution during pregnancy and early life.

What this means for your family: Reducing PFAS exposure during pregnancy is one of the highest-impact swaps you can make, because even small consistent exposures add up over a 40-week pregnancy.

Which Butter Brands Have Tested Positive for PFAS Indicators?

The Mamavation lab study flagged multiple mainstream and organic brands, including some names that appear regularly on clean-living lists. Brands that showed fluorine indicators (a marker for potential PFAS) in wrappers include: HEB Organic, Kate's, Kerrygold, Kirkland, Maple Hill Organic, Miyoko's, Organic Valley, and Wegmans, among others tested.

This testing looked at the wrapper, and the specific level of migration into the butter itself can vary. The presence of fluorine is an indication of PFAS, not always a confirmed measurement of the exact compound. But Linda Birnbaum described the findings as "disappointing," and the broader scientific consensus supports reducing any unnecessary PFAS exposure when you can.

SCRUNCHY MOM TIP: When shopping, look for butter wrapped in plain aluminum foil rather than paper or parchment-style wrappers. Foil doesn't require PFAS to resist grease, making it a lower-risk packaging choice without any extra cost.

Are There Butter Brands That Are Safer Options?

The good news is that some brands have cleaner packaging track records, and there are also alternative fats that sidestep the issue entirely. Here's a practical breakdown.

What should I look for in a cleaner butter choice?

Prioritize:
- Foil-wrapped packaging (not paper or parchment)
- Brands that have publicly committed to PFAS-free packaging
- Grass-fed and organic sourcing, which supports overall product quality

Vital Farms pasture-raised butter uses foil wrapping, which is one reason it comes up frequently in cleaner-living communities as a lower-risk option. The cows graze on pasture, which also means a better fatty acid profile in the butter itself.

Maple Hill produces 100% grass-fed organic butter and dairy, with cows that eat only grass, resulting in higher Omega-3 and CLA content alongside cleaner sourcing overall.

Kerrygold is a well-known grass-fed Irish butter brand, though it did appear in the Mamavation wrapper study. If you continue using Kerrygold, contacting the brand directly about their current packaging is a reasonable step, as PFAS use in food packaging is being phased out under new regulations.

Is ghee a safer alternative to butter?

Ghee, which is clarified butter with the milk solids removed, is an excellent swap for two reasons. First, it's sold in glass jars, completely sidestepping the PFAS packaging issue. Second, the clarification process removes casein and lactose, which makes it easier to digest for many people.

Ancient Organics produces premium artisanal organic ghee from the butter of grass-fed cows, following traditional Ayurvedic methods. It's available in glass jars.

Carrington Farms offers grass-fed organic ghee that's lactose-free and casein-free, and is typically available at a more accessible price point.

Pure Indian Foods is a family business making 100% grass-fed organic ghee, including cultured ghee varieties, all packaged in glass.

Good Brands to Buy

  • Vital Farms Pasture-Raised Butter — foil-wrapped, pasture-raised, widely available at major grocery chains
  • Maple Hill Grass-Fed Organic Butter — 100% grass-fed, organic, higher Omega-3 and CLA content
  • Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter — grass-fed, watch for foil-wrapped variety; contact brand about packaging updates
  • Ancient Organics Ghee — premium grass-fed, glass jar, zero packaging PFAS concern
  • Carrington Farms Organic Ghee — budget-friendly grass-fed ghee in glass, good starter option
  • Pure Indian Foods Grass-Fed Ghee — family-made, organic, multiple varieties including cultured ghee

How Do I Transition Away from Conventional Butter Without Overwhelming My Kitchen?

You don't need to throw out everything in your fridge today. Here's a realistic swap strategy based on where you are right now.

Your Current Situation Good Swap Better Swap Best Swap
Using conventional store-brand butter Switch to foil-wrapped grass-fed butter Choose a PFAS-tested brand like Vital Farms Swap to glass-jarred ghee entirely
Already using organic butter Check wrapper material; choose foil if available Contact brand about PFAS-free packaging commitment Use ghee for cooking, foil-wrapped butter for spreading
On a tight budget Vital Farms or Kerrygold foil-wrapped are comparable in price Carrington Farms ghee is affordable and lasts longer than butter Buy ghee in bulk; it has a longer shelf life at room temperature

The FDA's ongoing work on PFAS in food packaging confirms that grease-resistant PFAS compounds are being phased out of food contact materials, which means the landscape is changing. Brands that have already committed to PFAS-free packaging are worth supporting in the meantime.

If you only do one thing from this section, do this: Check your current butter wrapper. If it's paper or parchment, switch to a foil-wrapped option on your next grocery run. That single swap reduces your daily PFAS exposure from this source immediately.

A Note for Pregnancy and Early Postpartum

PFAS exposure isn't something that resolves quickly once you reduce it. These chemicals accumulate in the body over time. That's exactly why the pregnancy and early postpartum window — when your baby is growing rapidly and breast milk is their primary nutrition source — is the most impactful time to make this swap. The CDC's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry acknowledges that PFAS are detectable in human blood and breast milk, and that reducing ongoing exposure is the most practical step currently available to families.

You don't need to be perfect. Switching your butter is one small, affordable swap that adds up over the months of pregnancy and nursing.

FAQ

Q: Is the butter itself contaminated with PFAS, or just the wrapper?
A: Both are a concern. Research indicates that PFAS can migrate from packaging into fatty foods like butter, meaning the chemical doesn't stay in the wrapper. The migration rate depends on temperature, contact time, and the specific PFAS compound involved, but the scientific consensus supports minimizing contact with PFAS-containing packaging for fatty foods.

Q: Is organic butter automatically free of PFAS in the wrapper?
A: No. The Mamavation lab study found PFAS indicators in wrappers from brands marketed as organic. Organic certification covers how the cows are raised and what they're fed, not the materials used in the packaging. Always check the wrapper material and look for brands that have specifically addressed PFAS in their packaging.

Q: Can I cook the PFAS out of my butter by heating it?
A: No. Heat doesn't break down PFAS. In fact, heating butter wrapped in PFAS-containing packaging before unwrapping it (such as softening it quickly in a warm spot) may increase migration. If you're using butter that comes in paper or parchment wrapping, unwrap it as soon as you get home and transfer it to a glass dish for storage.

About the Author

Jenn Smith, RN BSN, is a registered nurse, mom, and co-founder of Scrunchy Living. She writes evidence-based guides to non-toxic living, pregnancy-safe products, and clean home practices for modern families.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with questions about your health or your child's health during pregnancy, postpartum, or any stage of development.

Shop These Recommendations

Product Why It's Worth It Amazon
Maple Hill Produces 100% grass-fed organic butter (and other dairy), ensuring cows eat only grass…
Vital Farms Famous for pasture-raised eggs, they also produce pasture-raised butter from cows that…
KerryGold An Irish brand of butter and cheese made from the milk of grass-fed cows. Known for its…
Ancient Organics Produces premium, artisanal organic ghee made from the butter of grass-fed cows…
Carrington Farms Offers organic ghee, coconut oils, and cooking sprays. Their ghee is grass-fed and…
Pure Indian Foods A family business making 100% grass-fed organic ghee. Also known for cultured ghee and…

From Scrunchy Living: The Non-Toxic Home Starter Kit ($75) replaces your household cleaners with one EWG Verified concentrate — quats-free, fragrance-free, and safe for pregnancy and babies. Includes a full year of ScrunchyAI, our ingredient-scanning tool for non-toxic families. Start your free 14-day trial →

You Might Also Like

Back to blog