Traces of Euthanasia Drug Found in Recalled Dog Food

A dog food recall that was announced last week was sparked over concerns of low levels of the drug pentobarbital being detected in cans of Gravy Train produced by the J.M. Smucker, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a statement.

Pentobarbital is most commonly used as a sedative, anesthetic or to euthanize animals, the FDA said. Pentobarbital can get into dog food by a process known as rendering, whereby euthanized animal products are turned into animal feed, Forbes magazine reported.

J.M. Smucker initiated a withdrawal of various canned dog food after learning of a positive pentobarbital results in certain cans of Gravy Train dog food, the FDA statement said. The withdrawal includes certain brands of Gravy Train, Kibbles 'N Bits, Ol' Roy, and Skippy, per the statement.

"We take this very seriously and are extremely disappointed that pentobarbital was introduced to our supply chain," Smucker spokesman Ray Hancart told ConsumerAffairs in a statement, adding the incident was the result of a single, unidentified supplier.

"Veterinarians and animal nutrition specialists, as well as the FDA, have confirmed that extremely low levels of pentobarbital, like the levels reported to be in select shipments, do not pose a threat to pet safety. However, the presence of this substance at any level is not acceptable to us and not up to our quality standards. We sincerely apologize for the concern this has caused."

The FDA said the low level of pentobarbital present in the withdrawn products was unlikely to pose a health risk to pets, but added that any pet food and products "containing any amount of pentobarbital are considered to be adulterated."

The firm is recalling the products that were manufactured from 2016 through the present and distributed nationwide, the FDA said.

The FDA's list of recalled 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
Skippy Premium Strips in Gravy with Beef, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910050245

The FDA said consumers who purchased recalled products should safely dispose of the cans and/or contact the firm for information about returning the product. Pet owners are also urged to contact their veterinarians if their pet has been fed one of the products, the agency wrote.