Wellness CORE · Pet Food Bags
Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food
Lower PFAS concern for the food itself; standard dry pet food bag unlikely to have fluorochemical coatings.
Wellness CORE senior dog food comes in a typical kraft paper bag with no disclosed PFAS treatments or waterproof barriers requiring fluorochemicals. Dry pet food bags rarely require the grease-resistant or water-resistant coatings that drive PFAS use in food packaging.
Shop Wellness CORE on Amazon →Material
paper/cardboard bag with ink printing
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
Wellness CORE Senior is packaged in a multi-ply paper/cardboard bag with ink printing on the exterior. The food itself is a dry kibble formulation with no coating or glaze component. The bag material is the only direct contact surface with the product; cardboard inherently does not leach heavy metals or synthetic coatings in the way glazed ceramics or plastic films do. Ink migration into dry kibble is minimal because the interior is typically lined with a moisture barrier that separates printed exterior from food.
The brand's record and disclosure
Wellness CORE (owned by WellPet LLC) maintains no known major safety recalls specific to packaging contamination or chemical leaching in recent public records. The brand does not publish detailed transparency reports on bag composition or ink formulations. Wellness products are generally marketed as 'natural' with grain-free positioning, though this refers to ingredient selection rather than packaging safety. No established data shows the brand has tested or disclosed PFAS content in bag materials.
How it compares in its category
Paper-bag dry pet food packaging is industry standard and generally lower-risk than plastic films or metallic laminates for chemical migration. Wellness CORE's approach is typical among premium pet food brands. Some competitors use fully recyclable paper (similar risk profile) while budget brands may use plastic-heavy multilayer films with higher leaching potential. No category-wide comparative testing of ink safety in pet food bags is publicly available, so relative positioning cannot be quantified.
If you buy it
Store the bag in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent moisture infiltration and ink degradation. Once opened, transfer kibble to an airtight glass or food-grade plastic container to prevent oxidation and limit continued contact with the bag's printed surface. Inspect the bag for tears or punctures; damaged bags may allow humidity to compromise the interior barrier and increase contact between ink and food. No special handling is required beyond standard dry food storage practices.
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 pigment migration (lead, cadmium, heavy metals)
Exterior printing inks on pet food bags typically use mineral or organic pigments. If the interior moisture barrier is compromised or defective, pigment compounds could theoretically migrate into dry kibble, though the low-moisture environment of dry pet food and sealed bag design make this unlikely. No reported incidents for this product are on record.
Bacterial or mold growth on bag interior
Dry kibble and paper bags are not conducive to microbial growth if kept dry. Risk only emerges if the bag is stored in high humidity or exposed to water. No manufacturing or hygiene failures are documented for Wellness CORE packaging.
Cardboard degradation and fiber shedding
Multi-ply cardboard bags do not shed fibers into dry kibble under normal storage. Degradation only occurs if bags are punctured, crushed, or exposed to prolonged moisture. Wellness CORE bags are structurally sound as sold.
Adhesive or glue residues
Pet food bags are typically heat-sealed rather than glued, minimizing adhesive contact with food. No evidence of adhesive leaching into Wellness CORE products is reported.
Chlorine or bleach residues in recycled cardboard
If Wellness CORE bags use recycled cardboard (common in the industry), chlorine-based bleaching agents may be present in trace amounts. Food-contact recycled paper is regulated under FDA guidelines, and residues are typically below food-safety thresholds, but complete transparency on bag sourcing for this product is not publicly available.
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.