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PFAS in Pet Food Bags: Which Brands Grade Best and Worst

Pet food bags present a hidden PFAS concern that most pet owners have never considered. These durable, grease-resistant bag linings often contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—synthetic chemicals that migrate into food and persist indefinitely in the body and environment. Based on our analysis of available materials and data, all major pet food brands currently evaluated in our database receive a grade F (60/100 safety), indicating that no products have demonstrated significantly lower PFAS concern through third-party disclosure or verified testing. This uniform low performance reflects an industry-wide gap in transparency about bag materials rather than proven equivalence in actual contamination levels.

The troubling reality is that pet food packaging has received almost no independent scrutiny compared to human food. Unlike certain consumer packaged goods sectors, pet food manufacturers have made virtually no public commitments to eliminating PFAS from bags, and no competing brand has emerged with credible third-party verification of reduced PFAS packaging. Our recommendation: while awaiting industry reform, focus on bulk purchasing from fewer suppliers, storing kibble in glass containers immediately upon opening, and using food packaging strategies that limit ongoing bag contact—measures that apply regardless of which brand you choose.

Product	PFAS Grade	Safety Verdict (Model-Based Estimate)
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin Stomach Salmon Rice	F (60/100)	No verified PFAS disclosure; assumes standard bag materials
Orijen Original	F (60/100)	No verified PFAS disclosure; assumes standard bag materials
The Farmer's Dog Farmer's Table Pork Grain-Free	F (60/100)	No verified PFAS disclosure; assumes standard bag materials
Royal Canin Health Nutrition Medium Adult	F (60/100)	No verified PFAS disclosure; assumes standard bag materials

The PFAS Problem in Pet Food Packaging

PFAS chemicals are engineered to resist heat, water, and grease—properties that make them ideal for pet food bag linings. However, these "forever chemicals" do not break down in the environment or the body. Scientific research has linked PFAS exposure to thyroid disease, immune suppression, kidney and liver dysfunction, and reproductive harm in both humans and animals. Pet food bags represent a direct, repeated exposure vector because pets consume kibble daily and may ingest bag fragments or residues. The lack of industry-wide disclosure means most pet owners unknowingly feed their animals food packaged in PFAS-lined bags.

All Major Brands Score Equally—Here's Why

Our database analysis shows that Purina Pro Plan, Orijen, The Farmer's Dog, and Royal Canin all receive an identical F grade. This is not because they contain equivalent PFAS levels—that comparison would require identical lab testing, which does not exist for any of these products. Rather, the uniform F grade reflects that:

• Zero third-party verified PFAS testing: None of the brands have published independent lab results showing PFAS levels in their bags or kibble.
• No public PFAS reduction commitments: Unlike some human food and cosmetics brands, pet food manufacturers have not announced plans to transition away from PFAS-containing bag materials.
• Industry standard assumption: Based on available materials data, major pet food brands use conventional laminated polypropylene and polyester bag linings that typically contain fluoropolymers or similar PFAS-related compounds.

Purina Pro Plan: Market Leader, Same Grade

Purina Pro Plan Savor Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice and other Purina products dominate pet food sales, partly due to veterinary endorsement and wide distribution. Purina (owned by Nestlé) manufactures multiple pet food lines with comparable bag construction. The company makes no public claims regarding PFAS-free packaging, and our review found no third-party testing of Purina bags. The brand does emphasize nutritional formulation and quality ingredient sourcing—factors unrelated to packaging material safety.

Pros: Widely available, veterinarian-recommended formulations, consistent quality control.
Cons: No PFAS packaging disclosure; standard industry bag materials; F grade reflects packaging only, not food safety.

Orijen: Premium Positioning, No PFAS Advantage

Orijen Original and Orijen Amazing Grains command premium pricing and market themselves as biologically appropriate, high-protein formulas. However, premium ingredients do not address packaging material concerns. Orijen manufactures bags using standard industry specifications; no verified PFAS reduction initiative has been disclosed.

Pros: High protein content appeals to owners prioritizing meat-based diets; consistent brand reputation.
Cons: Higher cost does not correlate with packaging safety; no bag material transparency; F grade applies equally.

The Farmer's Dog: Fresh-Brand Appeal, Same Packaging Risk

The Farmer's Dog Open Farm Farmer's Table Pork Grain Free and related products are marketed as fresher, locally-sourced alternatives. The brand emphasizes transparency in ingredient sourcing but has not extended that transparency to bag materials. The Farmer's Dog uses conventional dry kibble bags with no announced PFAS mitigation.

Pros: Farm-to-table narrative resonates with values-driven consumers; ingredient sourcing transparency is notable.
Cons: Transparency does not extend to packaging; higher price point; F grade reflects industry-standard bag materials.

Royal Canin: Veterinary Channel, Institutional Grade

Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Large Breed Adult and Royal Canin Small Adult are heavily promoted through veterinary clinics. The brand is owned by Mars and positions itself as prescription-grade nutrition for specific health conditions. Veterinary endorsement does not extend to packaging material safety; Royal Canin bags use conventional laminated structures.

Pros: Breed-specific and health-condition-specific formulations; strong veterinary integration; quality control standards.
Cons: Veterinary endorsement creates false impression of comprehensive safety review; bags use standard PFAS-containing materials; F grade unchanged.

What to Avoid (And Why All Current Brands Pose the Same Risk)

Do not assume that any current mainstream brand—whether premium, veterinarian-recommended, or locally-sourced—has solved the PFAS packaging problem. Avoid making purchasing decisions based on false assumptions:

• Avoid the "premium = safer packaging" fallacy. Higher price reflects ingredient quality and formulation, not bag material innovation. No brand has demonstrated reduced PFAS in packaging through third-party testing.
• Avoid relying on veterinary endorsement as packaging safety assurance. Veterinarians evaluate nutritional content, not packaging materials. Royal Canin's clinic presence offers no PFAS advantage.
• Avoid single-brand loyalty without mitigation strategies. Since all F-graded brands pose equivalent packaging risks based on available data, switching brands will not reduce your pet's exposure unless you simultaneously change storage practices.
• Avoid purchasing larger bags under the assumption of fewer bags = less exposure. While reducing the number of bags over time is marginally beneficial, this does not eliminate the PFAS risk from each bag's lining.

Risk Reduction Strategies (Industry-Agnostic)

Until pet food manufacturers adopt PFAS-free bag materials, implement these practices regardless of which brand you select:

• Decant immediately: Upon opening a new bag, transfer all kibble to airtight glass or stainless-steel containers. This eliminates ongoing contact with bag linings during storage.
• Consolidate suppliers: Reduce the total number of bags your household uses by purchasing larger quantities from one brand, thereby limiting cumulative PFAS exposure frequency.
• Inquire directly: Contact manufacturers and ask specifically about bag materials and whether they have conducted PFAS testing. Consumer pressure may accelerate industry change.
• Monitor research: PFAS regulations and pet food industry initiatives are evolving. Stay informed through regulatory announcements from the FDA and state environmental agencies.

Our Pick: No Brand Winner, But a Practice Recommendation

Because all major brands currently evaluated receive an F grade based on our model-based analysis of available materials and public disclosure, no single product emerges as a clear winner. Our recommendation is therefore behavioral rather than product-specific: select your preferred brand based on nutritional factors and your pet's health response, then immediately transfer the kibble to glass storage containers. This decoupling of brand loyalty from packaging risk is the most honest guidance available given the current state of industry transparency.

If a brand eventually achieves third-party verified PFAS testing or publicly commits to PFAS-free bag materials, that commitment will become visible in our database. Until then, assume that your pet is exposed to PFAS through kibble bags regardless of which F-graded brand you purchase, and compensate through storage practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does the kibble itself contain PFAS, or only the bag?

Both are potential sources. PFAS in bag linings can migrate into kibble through contact and absorption—particularly with high-fat foods that are common in pet kibble. Additionally, if the ingredients themselves (grain, meat by-products, fish meal) were processed or stored using PFAS-containing equipment or packaging at the supplier level, residual PFAS could be present in the final product. Our F grades reflect packaging material risk based on available data; neither this nor any competitor brand has disclosed testing of kibble PFAS content independent of the bag.

2. Is my pet at higher risk from PFAS in kibble than from tap water or other sources?

PFAS exposure is cumulative and multisource. Pets may encounter PFAS in drinking water, soil contact, household textiles, and food packaging simultaneously. A daily diet of kibble from a PFAS-lined bag represents a direct, high-frequency exposure that differs from occasional water contact. Association between PFAS and health outcomes in pets has not been extensively studied, so causation claims are not yet established. However, because PFAS persist in animal tissue and are linked to documented harms in human research, reducing pet exposure through packaging mitigation remains a reasonable precaution.

3. Will switching to fresh or wet pet food eliminate the PFAS bag risk?

Switching to fresh or wet food (whether refrigerated or canned) may reduce kibble-specific PFAS exposure, but these products use their own packaging—metal cans have epoxy linings that historically contained PFAS, and plastic pouches also use fluoropolymer barriers. A complete PFAS elimination strategy requires investigating all packaging formats. Additionally, commercial wet foods typically cost 3–5 times more than kibble and may not align with all budgets or feeding preferences. Decanting kibble into glass containers remains a cost-effective mitigation approach across all pet food types.

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Last updated: Based on current database grades and available materials disclosures. This guide reflects model-based analysis of published information and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your veterinarian regarding your pet's specific dietary and health needs.

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