After reports of PFAS chemicals found in some pet food packaging, consumers are understandably concerned to know if what they're feeding their pets is safe. To quote the study article, "It’s almost impossible to avoid PFAS, because they’re so prevalent in almost all aspects of our daily lives."

Pet parents can take comfort in knowing that there are dozens of substances that are not added to the bags we use at Life's Abundance for all of our dry dog and cat foods, including a grease barrier commonly found in paper pet food bags that's made with PFAS. Because of their lasting presence in the environment, the fact that there are many thousand such chemicals and there's limited methodology to test for them all, it's possible for trace amounts to make its way into bag material.

We’re familiar with the test referred to in the EWG report, for fluorine. We’re exploring whether this test is an effective and valid standard, in addition to how long it would take and how much it will cost. We don’t want to pass down costs to the consumer that are not a true indicator of the problem.

That said, you may like to know that our pet food bags are manufactured in the European Union, which has more stringent bans on PFAS chemicals than even the U.S. does. In good news for the health of pets, starting next year, a grease-proof coating that’s popularly used in paper-based pet food packaging will be phased out in the U.S. This is not a coating that we use or would consider using, but are encouraged by this positive step.

To understand more about PFAS the FDA states, "Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals that have been used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products since the 1940’s due to their resistance to grease, oil, water, and heat. For example, PFAS are used in stain- and water-resistant fabrics and carpeting, cleaning products, paints, and fire-fighting foams. Certain PFAS are also authorized by the FDA for limited use in cookware, food packaging, and food processing equipment.

The widespread use of PFAS and their ability to remain intact in the environment means that over time PFAS levels from past and current uses can result in increasing levels of environmental contamination. "

Of these dozens of chemicals that are not added to our pet food bags, representatives of these classes are on the "no" list: