Wellness CORE · Pet Food Bags
Wellness CORE Original Formula Turkey & Chicken Dog Dry Food
Lower concern for PFAS in standard pet food packaging; no evidence of fluorochemical coatings.
Wellness CORE dog food comes in typical paper-based pet food bag packaging without disclosed fluorochemical treatments. Standard dry-food bags rarely use PFAS-based water or grease barriers, but the brand provides no explicit PFAS disclosure. No public lab data or recalls tie this product to PFAS contamination.
Shop Wellness CORE on Amazon →Material
paper/kraft bag with standard 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 Original comes in a kraft paper bag with standard food-grade ink printing on the exterior. Kraft paper is a cellulose-based material that does not leach into dry pet food under normal storage conditions. The ink used for bag labeling is typically non-migratory surface print and does not contact the kibble directly; the paper acts as a physical barrier. This material class poses minimal chemical transfer risk to the product inside compared to plastic or lined bags.
The brand's record and disclosure
Wellness CORE is owned by WellPet LLC, a subsidiary of Neogen Corporation. The brand does not publicly disclose detailed safety testing, ingredient sourcing audits, or packaging material certifications on its website. No major safety recalls specific to packaging contamination have been identified for this product line in FDA or AAFCO records. The brand's transparency on supply chain practices and chemical safety standards is limited relative to premium competitors, but no established misconduct or hidden hazards are on record.
How it compares in its category
Kraft paper bags are the industry standard for dry pet food and are considered safer than plastic film or metallized pouches for preventing moisture and light ingress without relying on chemical barriers. Wellness CORE's bag design is typical of the category; some premium brands use additional paper layers or biodegradable linings, but this does not materially reduce chemical safety risk. Paper packaging is preferred over plastic for dry kibble because it avoids BPA and phthalate concerns entirely. This product sits in the mainstream mid-to-premium range and uses conventional, non-problematic packaging.
If you buy it
Store the bag in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture; fold the top closed or use an airtight clip to maintain freshness and prevent insect access. Do not transfer kibble to plastic containers unless they are food-grade and BPA-free, as some plastics can leach into dry food over extended storage. Paper bags typically remain intact for 6-12 months after opening if stored properly; discard if the bag shows tears, moisture staining, or signs of pest entry. Check the expiration date on the bag before purchase and rotate stock to use older bags first.
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 migration (food-contact printing)
Standard food-grade inks used on kraft pet food bags are formulated to be non-migratory and do not transfer to dry kibble under normal storage. No contamination reports exist for Wellness CORE bags specifically.
Mold and bacterial growth on paper
Kraft paper is hygroscopic and can absorb moisture if stored in humid conditions, creating an environment for surface mold or microbial growth on the exterior bag. This is a handling and storage issue, not a manufacturing defect, but compromised bags should not be used.
Bleach or chlorine residues in kraft pulp
Food-contact kraft paper undergoes pulp washing and is regulated to remove bleach residues. No evidence of excess chlorine or bleach contamination in Wellness CORE packaging exists, and kraft paper is less processed than white paper.
Chemical adhesives in bag sealing
Kraft bags are sealed using heat and mechanical pressure or food-safe adhesives. No off-gassing or migration concerns are established for standard pet food bag seams. Testing for volatile organic compounds in bag adhesives is not commonly disclosed by manufacturers but is regulated by food safety standards.
Pesticide or fumigant residues on storage
Pet food bags may be treated with approved food-contact fumigants during storage or transit to prevent insect infestation. Wellness CORE does not disclose fumigation practices, but any residues would be minimal and rapidly off-gas from the paper surface.
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.