Best Breed Grain Free Farmer's Chicken Recipe
Lower PFAS risk for the product itself; packaging history suggests caution.
The Farmer's Dog wet food is minimally processed meat-based with no inherent PFAS risk in the food itself. Pet food pouches and trays may use grease-resistant coatings containing PFAS to prevent oil migration, though this isn't universal. The brand makes no public PFAS disclosure about packaging materials.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
wet pet food in sealed pouch/tray packaging
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.
BPA & bisphenols
Multi-layer pet food pouches typically use food-contact polymers compliant with FDA rules, but specific resin type (BPA-free vs. standard PC, phthalate-free vs. PVC) is not disclosed by the brand. Risk is low in sealed, non-heated storage but not zero over extended shelf life.
Source, FDA ↗Microbial growth if seal is compromised
Wet pet foods are inherently prone to spoilage if packaging integrity fails. While no outbreak tied to this specific product is on record, wet food safety depends entirely on pouch seal; any visible swelling, leakage, or odor indicates bacterial or mold colonization.
Aluminum foil layer in pouch (if present) and aluminum from ingredients
Sealed pet food pouches often include thin aluminum as a barrier layer. Direct contact between acidic or high-moisture food and bare aluminum is rare due to polyester/polypropylene liners, but any manufacturing defect in the laminate could allow slow leaching. Dietary aluminum from meat and grain is the larger contributor to pet intake.
Inadequate disclosure of packaging composition and testing
The brand does not publicly provide detailed pouch material specifications, PFAS testing results, or third-party packaging safety audits. This lack of transparency limits independent verification of chemical compliance, though it does not confirm a problem.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Pet food pouch printing inks are regulated but not routinely tested by consumers. The Farmer's Dog does not publicly disclose ink chemistry or migration testing. Risk is minimal because printed surface typically does not contact food directly, but label-food contact during transport or storage compression is theoretically possible.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This product is a wet pet food delivered in sealed polymer pouches or trays, not a ceramic or hard cookware item. The food itself contacts the inner pouch surface during storage and shipping. Wet pet food packaging typically uses multi-layer films (polyester, polypropylene, aluminum) designed to block oxygen and light, minimizing the need for preservatives. The sealed, non-heated storage environment means polymer-to-food migration is much lower than in products exposed to high temperatures or repeated contact cycling.
The brand's record and disclosure
The Farmer's Dog markets itself as a fresh, whole-ingredient pet food brand with emphasis on sourcing transparency. The company publishes ingredient sourcing and has published third-party testing results for pathogens and nutritional content on its website. However, packaging material composition and PFAS testing status are not publicly disclosed on their standard product pages. No major recalls or contamination incidents have been established in public records for this specific recipe as of recent data.
How it compares in its category
Sealed wet pet food in polymer pouches is among the lower-risk formats compared to dry kibble bags (which have higher surface-area exposure) or non-sealed fresh products. The Farmer's Dog sits in the premium fresh pet food segment, which generally uses similar multi-layer pouch technology to brands like Ollie and NomNomNom. This packaging standard presents lower concern than older single-layer plastics but offers less transparency than glass or metal containers, which are rarely used in this category due to weight and cost.
If you buy it
Store pouches in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to minimize any slow polymer degradation. Do not microwave the product in the pouch; always transfer to a ceramic or glass dish before heating. Inspect the pouch for punctures, leaks, or swelling before use; these indicate possible microbial growth or seal failure, which is the primary food-safety concern with wet products. Discard opened pouches within 3-4 days if refrigerated, per standard wet pet food guidelines.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Best Breed 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.