Gravy Train Beef Flavor Sticks Recall

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Gravy Train began selling its dog food in 1959 and became the first, and only, dog food brand to create its own gravy by adding a bit of water. Today, Gravy Train remains the only dog food brand of its kind.

Gravy Train expanded its product line in 2005 to include meaty snacks for an all-around dog food variety.

Gravy Train, a Big Heart Pet brand, aims to give your dog a unique, tasty eating experience every time he eats. From Dog Train’s crunchy kibble to its saucy gravy, your dog is sure to enjoy its meaty aroma and taste.

Is gravy train a good dog food? Of course, read our gravy train reviews and see for yourself!

Has Gravy Train Ever Been Recalled?

Yes. Independent testing in February 2018 by a TV news investigative team reportedly turned up traces of pentobarbital — often used as a euthanasia drug — in samples of Gravy Train. Pentobarbital can be deadly when consumed by dogs or cats. As a result of that investigation, The J.M. Smucker Company announced a recall of various flavors of Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Ol’ Roy and Skippy canned dog foods.

In this video, Petful publisher Dave Baker discusses the news:

More than 10 years earlier, there was a previous Gravy Train recall, when the brand’s Beef Sticks dog snacks were pulled as a precaution during the 2007 melamine contamination. Full details of all Gravy Train recalls appear below.

Cause: Potential for low levels of pentobarbital. Announcement: Gravy Train website announcement (archived here); company email to Petful dated Feb. 15, 2018 (archived here); and FDA announcement dated Feb. 16, 2018, and updated March 2, 2018 (archived here). What was recalled: The following canned dog foods manufactured from 2016 to Feb. 15, 2018:

  • 13.2 oz. With T-Bone Flavor Chunks, UPC# 7910052541
  • 13.2 oz. With Beef Strips, UPC# 7910052542
  • 13.2 oz. With Lamb and Rice Chunks, UPC# 7910052543
  • 13.2 oz. With Beef Chunks, UPC# 7910034417
  • 22 oz. With Beef Chunks, UPC# 7910051647
  • 13.2 oz. With Chicken Chunks, UPC# 7910034418
  • 22 oz. With Chicken Chunks, UPC# 7910051645
  • 13.2 oz. Chunks in Gravy Stew, UPC# 7910051933
  • 13.2 oz. Chicken, Beef & Liver Medley, UPC# 7910051934
  • 13.2 oz. Chunks in Gravy with Beef Chunks, UPC# 7910034417

    • Cause: Melamine. Announcement: FDA report dated March 31, 2007. What was recalled: Gravy Train Beef Sticks Dog Snacks meeting the following specifications:

  • Production Code TP7B19 and “Best by” Aug. 19, 2008
  • Production Code TP7B20 and “Best by” Aug. 20, 2008
  • Production Code TP7B21 and “Best by” Aug. 21, 2008

    • If you have not done so already, we urge you to sign up now for Petful’s FREE recall alerts by email. Our free alerts are saving pets’ lives.

    Have You Had a Problem With Gravy Train?

  • See our reporting page for contact info.
  • Leave a comment below to share your experience with others.

    • Ingredients Found in Gravy Train Dog Food

    While the popular dog food company markets on its promise of providing tasty, gravy-rich meals to pets, the meals themselves don’t score so well when it comes to the ingredients used and their contribution to your pet’s overall health. Here is a breakdown of the ingredients used in Gravy Train Beefy Classic, popular in the Gravy Train dry dog food series.

  • Corn (a cereal grain that provides only moderate nutrition to pets and high in energy content due to naturally present sugars and high amount of carbohydrates)
  • Soybean meal (constitutes about 48% protein but contains less biological value proteins as compared to meat)
  • Meat and bone meal (known to have lower digestibility due to lower amino acid content and high ash content)
  • Wheat middlings (an inexpensive by-product from grain processing)
  • Animal fat (manufactured from high-temperature treatment of animal meat, not considered a quality ingredient)
  • Animal digest (animal by-products that have been chemically hydrolyzed, sprayed on top of pet food to make it tastier)
  • Salt (an essential mineral for all animals and humans)

    • An overview of the chief ingredients used in Gravy Train’s dry dog food offerings shows that even though the company is known for manufacturing tasty kibble for our pets, it might not be the best option from the health perspective. Given the low-nutritional elements used in Gravy Train’s kibble, it might not be the best option for your pet. However, it is okay to give them a serving or two from time-to-time to satisfy their taste buds with some tasty gravy.

    FAQ

    Has Gravy Train been recalled?

    preliminary evaluation of the testing results of Gravy Train samples indicates that the low level of pentobarbital present in the withdrawn products is unlikely to pose a health risk to pets.

    Is the brand Gravy Train good for dogs?

    Has Gravy Train Ever Been Recalled? Yes. Independent testing in February 2018 by a TV news investigative team reportedly turned up traces of pentobarbital — often used as a euthanasia drug — in samples of Gravy Train.