Royal Canin Small Adult Dry Dog Food
Lower risk for PFAS in dry pet food packaging, but no brand transparency.
Royal Canin's dry dog food comes in a standard kraft and paper bag. The primary concern would be any water-resistant or grease-resistant coating on the interior. The brand doesn't disclose PFAS use or absence in packaging. Dry pet food bags typically pose lower PFAS risk than heavily treated food contact materials.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
paper/kraft bag with standard sealant
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Mold or bacterial contamination (post-opening)
Once bag is opened, exposure to air and humidity can allow mold growth in unsealed kibble over weeks. This is a storage and handling issue, not a manufacturing defect, but is more likely if bag is left open in humid environments.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Plastic film leaching (inner bag)
Inner sealant film is polyethylene or polypropylene in direct contact with dry kibble at room temperature. No established recalls or reports of chemical migration into Royal Canin products; dry, low-moisture environment limits leaching risk significantly compared to wet food.
Heavy metals
Royal Canin formulations are tested for contaminants including heavy metals as part of standard pet food quality control. No recalls specific to lead, cadmium, or arsenic in this product line have been publicized; ingredient sourcing is typical for major brands.
Source, FDA ↗Coating degradation on inner film seals
Standard heat-seal adhesives and inks used in kraft-and-film bags are food-approved and stable at room temperature. Long-term storage (1-2 years) may slightly degrade outer kraft, but inner plastic film remains functional; no established leaching from sealant chemistry in dry pet food.
Fragmentation of plastic film into kibble
The inner plastic film is robust and well-bonded; physical breakage that allows plastic pieces to contaminate kibble is very rare in sealed bags. Risk increases only if bag is punctured or damaged during storage or handling.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Royal Canin Small Adult arrives in a kraft paper outer bag with an inner plastic film sealant, typical for dry pet food. The kraft paper itself is inert and food-safe; the inner plastic (likely polyethylene or polypropylene) contacts the kibble directly but at room temperature and low moisture, minimizing leaching risk. No high-heat processing or storage is involved post-manufacturing, reducing chemical migration from the packaging into the food.
The brand's record and disclosure
Royal Canin, owned by Mars Petcare, has not faced major chemical contamination recalls in recent years related to packaging or formulation. The brand publishes ingredient lists and conducts third-party quality testing but does not publicly disclose packaging material sourcing or certifications (e.g., BPA-free statements). Industry-standard compliance with FDA pet food regulations is expected but transparency on specific plasticizer or coating chemistry is absent.
How it compares in its category
Dry kibble in sealed bags is one of the lowest-risk pet food delivery formats compared to wet canned food (metal-lined cans, potential lead in solders) or fresh/frozen (higher handling contamination). Royal Canin's packaging is standard-grade kraft and plastic film, indistinguishable from most premium dry dog food brands in material safety profile. No evidence this product uses non-standard barrier coatings or unusual sealants that would elevate risk.
If you buy it
Store the bag in a cool, dry place after opening; reseal the bag or transfer kibble to an airtight plastic or glass container to prevent moisture ingress and mold. Do not store outdoors or in direct sunlight, which could degrade the inner plastic film over months. No special precautions needed beyond standard pet food hygiene (wash hands after handling, avoid contamination of the kibble). Bag should be used within 3-4 weeks of opening for freshness.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 62% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Royal Canin has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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.