A food-safe composition and resulting article with grease and water resistance properties comprised of a petroleum wax based aqueous emulsion, a food-safe coating formulation, and an alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), wherein the composition exhibits grease and water resistant properties without a fluorinated compound present in the composition. A method of making the composition and a method of using the composition to form pulp molded articles such as food-safe containers and other pulp-based food packaging and utensils are provided.