Pet food recalled due to presence of euthanasia drug
Shipments of Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Ol’ Roy, and Skippy canned/wet dog food have been recalled because they do not meet its quality specifications due to the presence of extremely low levels of pentobarbital.
In small doses, pentobarbital can be used as a sedative or veterinary anaesthetic agent. However, in large doses, it can be lethal. The drug has been used for both human and animal euthanasia as well as part of the mixture used for the death penalty in some US states.
Veterinarians and animal nutrition specialists, as well as the Food and Drug Administration, have confirmed that extremely low levels of this substance do not pose a threat to pet safety, but its presence at any level is not deemed acceptable to Smucker and the company has issued a recall.
No other products of The J M Smucker Company have been affected by this withdrawal.
In a statement, the company said: “Out of an abundance of caution, the company initiated a voluntary product withdrawal and has taken action to remove specific shipments that were impacted from its supply chain, as well as provided actionable information to its consumers and retail partners. The company has identified the root cause to be a single supplier and a single, minor ingredient, used at one manufacturing facility.”
Barry Dunaway, president of pet food and pet snacks, added: “We take this very seriously and are extremely disappointed that pentobarbital was introduced to our supply chain. We will continue to work closely with our suppliers and veterinarians to ensure the ingredients used in our products meet or exceed regulatory safety standards and our high-quality standards. Above all, we are a company that loves pets and understand the responsibility we have in providing high-quality food for the pets our consumers love.
Item Name | UPC Item Code(s) |
Gravy Train 13.2oz. with T-Bone Flavor Chunks | 7910052541 |
Gravy Train 13.2oz. with Beef Strips | 7910052542 |
Gravy Train 13.2oz. with Lamb and Rice Chunks | 7910052543 |
Gravy Train 22oz. with Chicken Chunks | 7910051645 |
Gravy Train 22oz. with Beef Chunks | 7910051647 |
Gravy Train 13.2oz. with Beef Chunks | 7910034417 |
Gravy Train 13.2oz. with Chicken Chunks | 7910034418 |
Gravy Train 13.2oz. Chunks in Gravy Stew | 7910051933 |
Gravy Train 13.2oz. Chicken, Beef & Liver Medley | 7910051934 |
Gravy Train 13.2oz. Chunks in Gravy with Beef Chunks | 7910034417 |
Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2oz. Burger Bacon Cheese and Turkey Bacon Vegetable Variety 12-Pack | 7910010377 |
Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2oz. Beef, Chicken, Vegetable, Meatball Pasta and Turkey Bacon Vegetable Variety Pack | 7910010382 7910048367 7910010378 |
Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2oz. Beef, Chicken, Vegetable, Burger Bacon Cheese and Beef Vegetable Variety Pack | 7910010380 7910010377 7910010375 |
Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2oz. Wet Variety Pack | 7910010375 |
Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2oz. Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Beef & Vegetable in Gravy | 7910010375 |
Kibbles ‘N Bits Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Turkey, Bacon & Vegetable in Gravy | 7910010378 |
Kibbles ‘N Bits Chef’s Choice Homestyle Tender Slices with Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy | 7910010380 |
Skippy 13.2oz. Premium Select Cuts in Gravy with Beef & Bone Marrow | 7910071860 |
Skippy 13.2oz. Premium Select Cuts with Burgers & Cheese Bits | 7910050243 |
Skippy 13.2oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy with Smoky Turkey & Bacon | 7910050246 |
Skippy 13.2oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy with Beef & Chicken | 7910050247 |
Skippy 13.2oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy 3 in 1 Chicken, Beef & Liver | 7910050248 |
Skippy 13.2oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy Chunky Stew | 7910050249 |
Skippy 13.2oz. Premium Strips in Gravy with Chicken | 7910050244 |
Skippy 13.2oz, Premium Chunks in Gravy with Beef | 7910050250 |
Skippy 13.2oz. Premium Strips in Gravy with Beef | 7910050245 |
Ol’ Roy 13.2oz Turkey Bacon Strips | 8113117570 |
