Hill's Science Diet · Pet Food Bags
Hill's Science Diet Adult Small Bites Chicken & Barley Dry Dog Food
Lower concern for PFAS in the food itself, but bag lining unknown, not disclosed by brand.
Hill's Science Diet does not publicly disclose PFAS information or source details for its dry dog food bag lining. Dry pet food bags commonly use wax or polyethylene films, though some manufacturers have historically used PFAS-based grease barriers.
Shop Hill's Science Diet on Amazon →Material
Paper/kraft bag with likely wax or polymer film lining (standard pet food packaging)
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 bags are kraft paper with an inner polymer or wax-based film lining, standard across premium pet food packaging to block moisture and oxygen. The lining protects kibble integrity but its exact composition (polyethylene, polypropylene, or wax blend) is not disclosed by Hill's. For dry kibble at room temperature, migration of lining chemicals into food is lower risk than with wet or heated foods, but the barrier material's source and recycled content are not public. The bag itself poses no direct hazard to the dog; safety concerns focus on the lining's potential contaminants during manufacturing or storage.
The brand's record and disclosure
Hill's Science Diet is a Colgate-Palmolive subsidiary with a long history in veterinary-prescribed nutrition and no major product safety recalls specifically tied to packaging or chemical contamination in recent years. The brand does not publicly disclose bag lining material composition, PFAS testing, or manufacturing certifications for packaging. Hill's provides standard ingredient lists and feeding guidelines but remains silent on supply chain transparency for packaging materials. The brand's silence on bag lining chemistry is typical across the pet food industry but represents a disclosure gap.
How it compares in its category
Hill's Science Diet is mid-to-premium tier; its bag lining is largely indistinguishable from competitors like Royal Canin, Purina Pro Plan, and most grocery-brand pet foods, which also use kraft-plus-film combinations without public material disclosure. No major pet food brand currently publishes independent testing or PFAS data for packaging. Hill's does not stand out positively or negatively on transparency compared to category peers. Smaller or organic brands (e.g., Orijen, some raw-food makers) may use different lining approaches but with equally opaque disclosure.
If you buy it
Store the bag in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to minimize any polymer degradation or off-gassing over time. Once opened, reseal tightly with a clip or transfer kibble to a glass or food-grade plastic airtight container within a week to maintain freshness and reduce lining exposure to air and light. Do not heat the kibble or bag (no microwaving or leaving in hot vehicles), as warmth can increase any potential migration from the lining. Inspect the bag for punctures, discoloration, or odors before purchase; discard if the lining appears compromised.
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.”
Polymer lining migration (unidentified composition)
The inner bag lining material is not disclosed by Hill's; without knowing whether it is PE, PP, or wax-based, potential for trace chemical migration into dry kibble cannot be fully assessed. For dry food at room temperature, this risk is lower than for wet food, but long-term storage and humidity exposure may increase it.
Contamination during manufacturing or transit
No recalls or reports of bag contamination, mold, or foreign material in Hill's Science Diet bags are on record. Standard industry manufacturing controls and FDA oversight reduce but do not eliminate this risk in any bagged pet food product.
Bag integrity degradation over time
Kraft and polymer lining can degrade from light, heat, humidity, and storage duration, potentially allowing moisture ingress or kibble staling. Hill's does not specify expected shelf life after manufacture or optimal storage conditions beyond basic room-temperature guidance.
Recycled content contaminants (if bag uses recycled materials)
Hill's does not disclose whether the kraft or lining uses recycled materials, which could introduce heavy metals or other contaminants. Industry practice varies; no specific contamination has been reported in Hill's bags, but transparency is absent.
Ink or adhesive residues on exterior
Printing inks and adhesives on the bag exterior are not regulated as food-contact for dry kibble but could be incidental contact if the bag is handled and then touches food prep surfaces. This is a minor risk and standard across the industry.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 62% 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.