FDA
Certain brands of dog food manufactured by the JM Smucker Co. may be contaminated by pentobarbital.
 
WASHINGTON – The J.M. Smucker Co. launched a recall of some canned dog food brands after the products tested positive for pentobarbital, a euthanasia drug, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported. Certain cans of Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Ol’ Roy and Skippy are affected by the recall.

FDA said the low level of pentobarbital detected in samples of Gravy Train canned pet food indicates that the recalled products are unlikely to pose a health risk to pets. But pentobarbital should never be present in pet food, FDA said, and any products containing any amount of the drug are adulterated. J.M. Smucker is recalling all lots of these products that were manufactured from 2016 through the present, the agency noted.

The affected products include:

  • Gravy Train with T-Bone Flavor Chunks, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910052541
  • Gravy Train with Beef Strips, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 791052542
  • Gravy Train with Lamb & Rice Chunks, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910052543
  • Gravy Train with Chicken Chunks, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910034418
  • Gravy Train with Beef Chunks, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910034417
  • Gravy Train with Chicken Chunks, 22-ounce can, UPC 7910051645
  • Gravy Train with Beef Chunks, 22-ounce can, UPC 7910051647
  • Gravy Train Chunks in Gravy with Beef Chunks, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910034417
  • Kibbles ‘N Bits 12-can Variety Pack – Chef’s Choice American Grill Burger Dinner with Real Bacon & Cheese Bits in Gravy, Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Turkey Bacon & Vegetables in Gravy, 12 pack of 13.2-ounce cans, UPC 7910010377, 7910010378;
  • Kibbles ‘N Bits 12-Can Variety Pack – Chef’s Choice Bistro Hearty Cuts with Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy, Chef’s Choice Homestyle Meatballs & Pasta Dinner with Real Beef in Tomato Sauce, 12 pack of 13.2-ounce cans, UPC 7910010382, 7910048367, 7910010378;
  • Kibbles ‘N Bits 12-Can Variety Pack – Chef’s Choice Homestyle Tender Slices with Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy, Chef’s Choice American Grill Burger Dinner with Real Bacon & Cheese Bits in Gravy, Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Beef & Vegetables in Gravy, 12 pack of 13.2-ounce cans, UPC 7910010380, 7910010377, 7910010375;
  • Kibbles ‘N Bits Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Beef & Vegetables in Gravy, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910010375;
  • Kibbles ‘N Bits Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Turkey, Bacon & Vegetables in Gravy, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910010378;
  • Kibbles ‘N Bits Chef’s Choice Homestyle Tender Slices with Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910010380;
  • Ol’ Roy Strips Turkey Bacon, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 8113117570;
  • Skippy Premium Chunks in Gravy Chunky Stew, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 79100502469;
  • Skippy Premium Chunks in Gravy with Beef, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910050250; and
  • Skippy Premium Strips in Gravy with Beef, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910050245.

Pentobarbital is a barbiturate drug most commonly used in animals as a sedative, anesthetic or for euthanasia, FDA said. The agency is monitoring for any reports of pet illnesses associated with the recalled products, and the agency has launched an investigation into the source of contamination.

Pets that have consumed food contaminated by pentobarbital can experience drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, loss of balance, nausea, nystagmus (eyes moving back and forth in a jerky manner) and inability to stand, FDA said. Consuming high levels of pentobarbital can cause coma and death, but the levels found in the recalled products are unlikely to pose a health risk to pets, FDA reiterated.