70/ 100
C
OverallF62/100
Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon Dog Food

Taste of the Wild · Pet Food Bags

Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon Dog Food

C · Moderate

Lower PFAS concern; standard pet food packaging with no known chemical treatment indicators.

Verdict: BuyStandard dry pet food in conventional paper-plastic composite bag; no established safety recalls or hazard reports specific to this product line.

Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon is dry kibble sold in a standard paper bag with inner plastic lining, typical pet food packaging without grease-resistant or water-resistant coatings that typically contain PFAS. The brand makes no PFAS claims and packaging discloses no Teflon-family coating or special chemical treatments.

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Material

Dry dog food in paper/cardboard bag with plastic liner

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.

Hurts the grade

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement about PFAS in this product.

Hurts the grade

Safe base material

Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).

Helps the grade

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon is sold in a kraft paper bag with an inner plastic film liner, a standard dual-layer design for dry pet food. The plastic liner (typically polyethylene or polypropylene) protects kibble from moisture and oxygen, while the paper exterior provides structural support and printable branding. This material pairing is inert under normal storage conditions and does not leach into dry kibble, since there is no heat exposure, moisture activation, or prolonged contact with oils that would trigger polymer degradation.

The brand's record and disclosure

Taste of the Wild (owned by Diamond Pet Foods) does not publicly disclose PFAS testing, ingredient sourcing certifications, or supplier transparency reports. The brand has not faced major recalls related to packaging contamination or chemical leaching in recent years. However, the parent company Diamond Pet Foods experienced a 2012 salmonella recall affecting multiple product lines; no packaging-related hazards were documented. No AAFCO or third-party testing certifications specific to package safety are advertised.

How it compares in its category

Taste of the Wild uses conventional paper-plastic composite bags identical to those used by most mainstream dry pet food brands (Purina, Iams, Royal Canin). No premium or safety-differentiated packaging (e.g., metallized film, oxygen absorbers, or certified compostable liners) is employed. In terms of material risk, this places it at the standard industry baseline for dry pet food packaging, with no evidence of superior or inferior safety performance versus competitors.

If you buy it

Store the unopened bag in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and heat sources; plastic liners are not moisture-vapor proof and degradation accelerates in humid environments. Once opened, transfer kibble to an airtight rigid container (glass or food-grade plastic) within 2-3 weeks to prevent rancidity and exclude moisture. Do not store the bag in a vehicle or near radiators, as heat can stress the plastic liner and increase any potential for minor volatile release, though risk is low with dry food. Replace the bag if the plastic liner shows visible punctures, clouding, or swelling.

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.”

Possible

Plastic film liner degradation over time

Inner plastic film (likely PE or PP) can develop micro-cracks or cloudiness with age, humidity, or temperature cycling, potentially exposing kibble to oxidation. No reports of leaching into dry kibble, but compromised barrier integrity reduces shelf-life protection.

None known

Ink migration from printed exterior

Paper bag exterior is printed with brand graphics; food-contact inks should comply with FDA regulations, but no independent testing or brand certification is publicly available for this product. Direct hand contact with wet hands touching kibble post-printing is a theoretical vector, but dry kibble contact is minimal risk.

Possible

Bacterial or mold growth if stored improperly

Paper-plastic composite bags are not hermetic; exposure to high humidity, water damage, or punctures can allow mold spores or bacterial proliferation, posing a food safety rather than chemical hazard. This is a usage/storage risk, not a packaging defect risk specific to this brand.

None known

Lead or heavy metals in mineral premixes

Taste of the Wild lists mineral and vitamin premixes in ingredient statement but provides no third-party metal testing or source certification. Pet food mineral supplements are AAFCO-regulated, but independent verification of lead, cadmium, or arsenic is not publicly disclosed for this product.

None known

Allergen cross-contamination during manufacturing

Diamond Pet Foods operates shared facilities; no allergen containment or dedicated production line certifications are advertised. Packaging itself poses no risk, but facility practices are not independently audited or disclosed.

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.