Pictured is one of the products recalled due to the presence of a euthanasia drug in dog foods.(Chewy.com)NEW!3,323shares
Smuckers said Wednesday that it is voluntarily recalling some of its products after the FDA found a euthanasia drug in them. The company said tests found pentobarbital in “extremely low levels” in several products under the brands Kibbles N Bits and Gravy Train.
Smuckers said the levels detected are not dangerous and do not pose any threat to the safety of pets, but apologized and issued a recall “out of an abundance of caution.”
“The presence of this substance at any level is not acceptable to us and not up to our quality standards,” the company said. “We sincerely apologize for the concern this has caused.”
Affected products are being recalled from the warehouses of retailers nationwide, though the company insists veterinarians and the FDA confirmed the low levels of pentobarbital do not pose a risk. No information about refunds has been offered, but concerned consumers can contact 1-800-828-9980 or email them.
An investigation is ongoing, and Smuckers promised to take the appropriate steps to ensure this does not occur again. The company said its already narrowed the issue to “a single supplier and a single, minor ingredient, used at one manufacturing facility.”
WJLA reports the U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration was first alerted last week when Ellipse Analytics said it found nine of 15 cans made by Gravy Train tested positive for the drug pentobarbital. Gravy Train, owned by Smuckers, is made by Big Heart Pet Foods, the same manufacturer behind Meow Mix, Milk Bone, Kibbles N Bits, 9 Lives, Natural Balance, Pup-Peroni, Gravy Train, Natures Recipe, Canine Carry Outs, Milos Kitchen, Alley Cat, Jerky Treats, Meaty Bone, Pounce and Snausages.
More than two dozen brands were tested, but only Gravy Train and Kibbles N Bits tested positive.
The recall comes in the same week that four pet food companies — Darwins Natural and ZooLogics, Raws for Paws Ground Turkey Pet Food, Redbarn Pet Products, and Smokehouse Pet Products — issued a recall after detecting salmonella in samples of raw dog food. At least six animals died or got sick; two humans also fell ill.
The recall comes as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to pet owners about contamination in some Smucker products. The agency said pets that eat food with the drug can experience symptoms such as drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, a loss of balance and an inability to stand, while eating high levels can lead to coma and death.
The FDA said consumers with the products on their shelves should “safely dispose” of the food or contact Smucker about returning the product. Pet owners who are concerned their pets may have fallen ill should get in touch with their veterinarians, it added.
“The FDAs 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,” the agency said in a statement. However, pentobarbital should never be present in pet food and products containing any amount of pentobarbital are considered to be adulterated.”
Smucker said consumers can reach the company at 1 (800)-828-9980, Monday through Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST, or email with questions or to request a refund or replacement product.
Smucker said it identified the drug as coming from a single supplier, which it didnt name, and a “single, minor ingredient” at one manufacturing plant.
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The FDA announced that Evanger’s voluntarily recalled dog food due to the possible presence of pentobarbital, a barbiturate that is used as a sedative or anesthetic in animals.
The drug can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and excitement in people.
The recall affects five lots of Hunk of Beef Au Jus canned food products with lot numbers that start with 1816E03HB, 1816E04HB, 1816E06HB, 1816E07HB, and 1816E13HB and expire June 2020.
The company says the problem was discovered after one customer returned a product with the aforementioned lot number saying their dog got sick after eating it.
After investigation, it was determined that one supplier had provided a beef fat ingredient that may have been tainted with pentobarbital.
Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with T-Bone Flavor Chunks Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with Beef Strips Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with Lamb and Rice Chunks Gravy Train 22 oz. with Chicken Chunks Gravy Train 22 oz. with Beef Chunks Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with Beef Chunks Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with Chicken Chunks Gravy Train 13.2 oz. Chunks in Gravy Stew Gravy Train 13.2 oz. Chicken, Beef & Liver Medley Gravy Train 13.2 oz. Chunks in Gravy with Beef Chunks Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2 oz. Burger Bacon Cheese and Turkey Bacon Vegetable Variety 12-Pack Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2 oz. Beef, Chicken, Vegetable, Meatball Pasta and Turkey Bacon Vegetable Variety Pack Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2 oz. Beef, Chicken, Vegetable, Burger Bacon Cheese and Beef Vegetable Variety Pack Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2 oz. Wet Variety Pack Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2 oz. Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Beef & Vegetable in Gravy Kibbles ‘N Bits Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Turkey, Bacon & Vegetable in Gravy Kibbles ‘N Bits Chef’s Choice Homestyle Tender Slices with Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Select Cuts in Gravy with Beef & Bone Marrow Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Select Cuts with Burgers & Cheese Bits Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy with Smoky Turkey & Bacon Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy with Beef & Chicken Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy 3 in 1 Chicken, Beef & Liver Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy Chunky Stew Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Strips in Gravy with Chicken Skippy 13.2 oz, Premium Chunks in Gravy with Beef Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Strips in Gravy with Beef Ol’ Roy 13.2 oz Turkey Bacon Strips
A dog food recall has several brands being yanked off the shelves after traces of a drug (pentobarbital) used to euthanize animals was found. J M Smucker Co (NYSE:SJM) pulled products by Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Ol’ Roy, and Skippy. The drug was found in the canned variety dog food.
FAQ
Is kibbles and bits safe now?
What dog food is on recall right now 2022?
Does kibbles and bits make dogs sick?
Skin infection. Ear infection. Obsessive licking/chewing of feet. Loss of hair.
What brand of dog food is being recalled 2021?
Skin infection. Ear infection. Obsessive licking/chewing of feet. Loss of hair.