Four Popular Brands Of Dog Food Recalled Due To Traces Of Euthanasia Drug

Four brands of dog food distributed by J.M. Smucker Co. have been recalled after a local TV station in Washington D.C. discovered that a popular brand of dog food contained traces of a pentobarbital, a drug used to euthanize dogs. WJLA ran tests after a resident reported that her dog Talula died as a result of "poisoning from the dog food."

Nikki Mael had to rush her five dogs to the vet on New Year's Eve in 2016 after they shared a can of dog food. After lab tests revealed pentobarbital in the dog food, she reached out to WJLA, which partnered with "Ellipse Analytics, a lab that specializes in testing food for contaminants" to determine if other brands contained the drug as well. The results of their tests were shocking and resulted in the recall of cans of Gravy Train, Kibble 'N Bits, Skippy, and Ol' Roy wet food.

In their tests, they found that 60% of the cans of Gravy Train had pentobarbital. While the amount of the drug found was not lethal, it should not be in the food at all according to federal law. 

The station was unable to determine how the drug ended up in the food. Some people are worried that the traces of the drug mean dog food companies are using meat from animals that were euthanized. J.M. Smucker Co. said it is investigating how the drug got into their products and are focusing on the supplier of a minor ingredient used in the food. 

J.M. Smucker Co. spokesman Ray Hancart said the company was voluntarily recalling the four brands of dog food but said they "do not pose a threat to pet safety."

“Veterinarians and animal nutrition specialists, as well as the FDA, have confirmed that extremely low levels of pentobarbital, like the levels reported to be in select shipments, do not pose a threat to pet safety,” J.M. Smucker Co. spokesman Ray Hancart told WebMD in a statement. “However, the presence of this substance at any level is not acceptable to us and not up to our quality standards. We sincerely apologize for the concern this has caused.”

The following products are affected by the recall. Customers who have any questions or concerns about their pet’s food can call 800-828-9980 or email the company through its website.

Gravy Train canned/wet dog food• Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with T-Bone Flavor Chunks (UPC: 7910052541)• Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with Beef Strips (UPC: 7910052542)

• Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with Lamb and Rice Chunks (UPC: 7910052543)• Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with Beef Chunks (UPC: 7910034417)• Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with Chicken Chunks (UPC: 7910034418)• Gravy Train 13.2 oz. Chunks in Gravy Stew (UPC: 7910051933)• Gravy Train 13.2 oz. Chicken, Beef & Liver Medley (UPC: 7910051934)• Gravy Train 13.2 oz. Chunks in Gravy with Beef Chunks (UPC: 7910034417)

• Gravy Train 22 oz. with Chicken Chunks (UPC: 7910051645)

• Gravy Train 22 oz. with Beef Chunks (UPC: 7910051647)

Kibbles ‘N Bits canned/wet dog food

• Kibbles N Bits 13.2 oz. Burger Bacon Cheese and Turkey Bacon Vegetable Variety 12-Pack (UPC: 7910010377; 7910010378)

• Kibbles N Bits 13.2 oz. Beef, Chicken, Vegetable, Meatball Pasta and Turkey Bacon Vegetable Variety Pack (UPC: 7910010382; 7910048367; 7910010378)

• Kibbles N Bits 13.2 oz. Beef, Chicken, Vegetable, Burger Bacon Cheese and Beef Vegetable Variety Pack (UPC: 7910010380; 7910010377; 7910010375)

• Kibbles N Bits 13.2 oz. Wet Variety Pack (UPC: 791001037; 7910048367)

• Kibbles N Bits 13.2 oz. Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Beef & Vegetable in Gravy (UPC: 7910010375)

• Kibbles N Bits 13.2 oz. Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Turkey, Bacon & Vegetable in Gravy (UPC: 7910010378)

• Kibbles N Bits 13.2 oz. Chef’s Choice Homestyle Tender Slices with Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy (UPC: 7910010380)

Skippy canned/wet dog food

• Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Select Cuts in Gravy with Beef & Bone Marrow (UPC: 7910071860)

• Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Select Cuts with Burgers & Cheese Bits (UPC: 7910050243)

• Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy with Smoky Turkey & Bacon (UPC: 7910050246)

• Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy with Beef & Chicken (UPC: 7910050247)

• Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy 3 in 1 Chicken, Beef & Liver (UPC: 7910050248)

• Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy Chunky Stew (UPC: 7910050249)

• Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Strips in Gravy with Chicken (UPC: 7910050244)

• Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy with Beef (UPC: 7910050250)

• Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Strips in Gravy with Beef (UPC: 7910050245)

Ol’ Roy canned/wet dog food• Ol’ Roy 13.2 oz. Turkey Bacon Strips (UPC: 8113117570)

Photo: Getty Images


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