A drug used to euthanize animals has been found in canned dog food, prompting a recall.
Low levels of the drug pentobarbital were detected in cans of Gravy Train dog food produced by the J.M. Smucker Company, the FDA said in a statement Friday.
“Pets that eat pet food containing pentobarbital can experience drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, loss of balance, nausea, nystagmus (eyes moving back and forth in a jerky manner) and inability to stand. Consuming high levels of pentobarbital can cause coma and death,” it said.
The FDA said its preliminary evaluation of the testing results of Gravy Train samples indicated the low levels found were unlikely to pose a health risk to pets.
“However, any detection of pentobarbital in pet food is a violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act—simply put, pentobarbital should not be in pet food,” it said.
The J.M. Smucker Company said it had initiated a voluntary recall of specific shipments of Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Ol’ Roy and Skippy canned dog food after pentobarbital was found.
“The Company has identified the root cause to be a single supplier and a single, minor ingredient, used at one manufacturing facility,” it said in a statement.
“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.”
Customers who purchased the product could call with any concerns or for a refund or replacement product, the company said. Ad Feedback Ad Feedback Ad Feedback
Have You Had a Problem With Gravy Train?
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:
Cause: Melamine. Announcement: FDA report dated March 31, 2007. What was recalled: Gravy Train Beef Sticks Dog Snacks meeting the following specifications:
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Customers who purchased the product could call with any concerns or for a refund or replacement product, the company said. Ad Feedback Ad Feedback Ad Feedback
The J.M. Smucker Company said it had initiated a voluntary recall of specific shipments of Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Ol’ Roy and Skippy canned dog food after pentobarbital was found.
“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.”
The FDA said its preliminary evaluation of the testing results of Gravy Train samples indicated the low levels found were unlikely to pose a health risk to pets.
“However, any detection of pentobarbital in pet food is a violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act—simply put, pentobarbital should not be in pet food,” it said.
FAQ
Has Gravy Train dog food been recalled?
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