Instinct Raw Boost · Pet Food Bags
Instinct Raw Boost Small Breed Chicken Dry Dog Food
Lower-risk pet food packaging; no known PFAS coatings in standard dry kibble bags, but routine disclosure absent.
Instinct Raw Boost ships in typical paper-poly laminate bags used across the pet food industry. This material category, uncoated kraft with polyethylene or polypropylene, does not commonly require water-repellent or grease-resistant PFAS treatments.
Shop Instinct Raw Boost on Amazon →Material
Paper/kraft bag with poly 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
Instinct Raw Boost bags are kraft paper lined with polyethylene (PE), a common dual-layer design that protects dry kibble from moisture and oxygen. PE is chemically inert at room temperature and poses no known leaching risk to dry pet food. The paper outer layer is food-safe and printed with inks that meet FDA guidelines for indirect food contact. This material pairing is standard across premium and budget pet food brands.
The brand's record and disclosure
Instinct (Nature's Variety subsidiary, acquired by Nestlé) has no public safety recalls or material safety incidents on record for packaging. The brand does not openly disclose PFAS testing or packaging material sourcing specifics, consistent with most pet food manufacturers. They market grain-free and raw-boost formulas but do not proactively communicate packaging composition or sustainability certifications. No third-party certifications (e.g., SCS, GFSI) are evident for this specific product line.
How it compares in its category
This bag design is functionally identical to Orijen, Acana, and mid-tier kibbles; kraft/poly is the industry default for dry pet food. Premium brands rarely upgrade materials or add recycled content transparency. Instinct is positioned above budget grocery brands (Pedigree, Purina) and alongside other premium naturals (Wellness, Taste of the Wild). No material advantage or disadvantage versus competitors in safety terms.
If you buy it
Store bags in a cool, dry place below 70°F to preserve kibble freshness and prevent any polymer softening (not a safety risk, but extends shelf life). Do not transfer kibble to glass or metal containers in direct sunlight, as this accelerates nutrient degradation independent of the bag. Reseal or clip opened bags promptly to exclude moisture and insects. Replace bags every 6-8 weeks once opened; kraft/poly linings do not provide indefinite barrier integrity once breached.
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.”
Polyethylene film degradation and microplastics
PE lining can degrade under UV light or mechanical stress, but kibble contact risk is minimal because dry food does not leach polymer. No recalls or documented cases of plastic fragments in Instinct bags.
Moisture and mold contamination
Kraft paper is hygroscopic and can absorb humidity if stored in damp conditions, creating conditions for mold growth on kibble. This is a storage issue, not a manufacturing defect, but affects pet health if ignored.
Ink and adhesive migration
Bag printing inks and poly seam adhesives meet FDA 21 CFR 110 standards for indirect food contact. No heavy metals or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are known to leach into dry kibble under normal conditions.
Oxygen permeability over time
Standard kraft/poly provides good but not premium oxygen barrier. Extended storage beyond 3-4 months may allow lipid oxidation in kibble fats, reducing nutritional quality and palatability rather than creating acute toxicity.
Allergen cross-contamination (manufacturing/packaging plant)
Instinct bags are produced in facilities that handle chicken and multiple proteins. No allergen warnings or recalls specific to packaging contamination are on record; however, dog food bags are not subject to allergen labeling requirements like human food.
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.