Merrick · Pet Food Bags
Merrick Grain Free Bison, Beef & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food
Lower concern for PFAS in the product itself, but bag coating unknown, no brand transparency.
Merrick's dry dog food is a simple kibble product with minimal inherent PFAS risk in the food itself. However, the brand makes no public statement about PFAS in packaging materials or grease-resistant bag coatings, which commonly contain PFAS. Without third-party testing or disclosure, the packaging remains a minor uncertainty.
Shop Merrick on Amazon →Material
Paper/cardboard bag, typical 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
Merrick Grain Free Bison, Beef & Sweet Potato is packaged in standard multi-ply paper and cardboard with a plastic or polymer barrier lining typical of dry pet food bags. The interior coating prevents moisture and oxygen ingress, which is essential to preserve the food and prevent mold or rancidity. This bag construction does not directly contact the kibble with harsh chemicals under normal storage conditions; the food itself is the primary concern, not the bag material itself in typical use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Merrick (owned by Nestlé Purina) does not publicly disclose detailed bag coating compositions or PFAS screening results, which is standard industry practice for pet food manufacturers. The brand has not faced major documented recalls specifically for packaging contamination or chemical leaching into dry food. Merrick maintains AAFCO certification and sources named meat proteins, which indicates baseline formulation transparency, but does not go beyond industry norms for packaging transparency.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial dry pet foods use identical multi-ply paper/plastic bag designs; Merrick is not differentiated in this respect. Grain-free formulations have faced broader scrutiny over ingredient adequacy and potential links to dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs, a concern about the food itself rather than the bag. Compared to premium brands offering compostable or plastic-free packaging alternatives, Merrick provides no special environmental or material safety advantage.
If you buy it
Store the sealed bag in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources; high humidity or moisture can compromise the bag seal and allow mold growth. Opened bags should be resealed tightly or transferred to airtight containers within 2 to 4 weeks to maintain freshness. Do not store the bag near strong odors or chemicals, as the paper material can absorb odors. No special handling is required beyond standard dry pet food protocols; the bag itself does not pose chemical leaching risk to the kibble under normal home storage.
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.”
Bag coating leachables (unknown composition)
Multi-ply bags typically use polyethylene or polypropylene liners; Merrick does not disclose whether coatings contain PFAS or other persistent chemicals. For dry kibble at room temperature, leaching risk is low, but composition opacity prevents full safety assessment.
Moisture and mold contamination from bag degradation
Dry pet food bags can develop microscopic punctures or seal failure over time, especially in humid environments. If the bag is stored improperly or damaged, mold growth is possible; this is a storage hazard rather than a manufacturing defect specific to Merrick.
Grain-free formulation adequacy (food safety, not packaging)
Merrick Grain Free products fall under the broader grain-free category flagged by the FDA and cardiologists for potential links to dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. This is a formulation concern, not a packaging or chemical hazard, but warrants mention for informed purchasing.
Heavy metals in meat-based kibble (ingredient level)
No specific recalls or heavy metal contamination tied to Merrick's bison and beef sources have been documented. As a Nestlé subsidiary product, it undergoes routine quality assurance, but independent third-party testing results are not publicly available.
Formaldehyde or adhesive off-gassing from cardboard
Dry pet food bags are not typically treated with formaldehyde resins in ways that would off-gas into kibble. The paper/cardboard exterior may contain trace adhesives, but dry kibble does not activate volatile release under normal storage.
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.