Hill's Science Diet · Pet Food Bags
Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food
Lower concern for PFAS, but no public transparency from Hill's on packaging treatment.
Hill's Science Diet's dry dog food bag is standard kraft paper packaging with no known Teflon-family coating or water-resistant coating typical of PFAS concerns. The brand discloses nothing publicly about PFAS in packaging or practices.
Shop Hill's Science Diet on Amazon →Material
paper/kraft bag, standard ink
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Hill's Science Diet dry dog food comes in a kraft paper bag with standard food-grade ink printing. The bag is a multi-wall kraft construction designed to protect kibble from moisture and light during storage and transport. Pet food bags typically use food-contact-approved inks and paper, which are regulated by the FDA. The primary concern with paper bags is potential chemical migration from inks or treatments, but this is a low-risk material class compared to plastics or coated films.
The brand's record and disclosure
Hill's Science Diet is owned by Colgate-Palmolive and has a long history in veterinary-recommended pet nutrition; the brand maintains quality certifications through AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials). Hill's has not faced major product safety recalls in recent years related to packaging contamination or chemical hazards. However, like most pet food manufacturers, Hill's does not publicly disclose detailed information about PFAS or other emerging packaging chemicals, which reflects industry-wide opacity rather than a specific brand failing.
How it compares in its category
Kraft paper bags are the standard for dry pet food; competitors like Purina Pro Plan and Royal Canin use identical or very similar packaging. Paper is materially safer than some plastic film alternatives because it does not leach plasticizers or microplastics into food. Dry kibble in kraft bags carries minimal chemical migration risk because there is no moisture activation or heat exposure that would accelerate leaching from inks or coatings.
If you buy it
Store the bag in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity to preserve the food and minimize any risk of paper degradation. Once opened, transfer kibble to an airtight glass or food-grade plastic container if you wish to further reduce air and light exposure. Replace the bag every 6-8 weeks or once opened, whichever is sooner, to ensure freshness and prevent oxidation or mold. No special cleaning or handling is required beyond standard pet food hygiene.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Ink residues (food-contact inks)
FDA-regulated food-contact inks are required on pet food packaging. No reported contamination or migration issues specific to Hill's bags have been documented in public records or recalls.
Mold or bacterial growth (bag storage)
Paper bags are permeable; if stored in high humidity or warm conditions, the bag itself can support mold or moisture infiltration. This is a storage and handling issue, not a manufacturing defect, and is common to all kraft paper pet food bags.
Paper degradation and dust (long-term storage)
Over months of storage, kraft paper can shed fibers or break down, especially if exposed to moisture or pests. Transferring kibble to airtight containers after opening mitigates this risk entirely.
Mineral oil or mineral-based coatings (bag treatment)
Some pet food bags use mineral oil or wax-based interior treatments to improve moisture barriers. No public disclosure or identified issues with Hill's bags; standard FDA food-contact material guidelines apply.
Contaminants from feed ingredients (not packaging)
Pet food safety is primarily about ingredient sourcing and manufacturing hygiene. Hill's has not faced ingredient-related recalls in recent years, but dry pet food can theoretically carry mycotoxins or bacterial contaminants from grain suppliers; this is not specific to Hill's and is an industry-wide food safety consideration.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More pet food bags grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.