The J.M Smucker Company is withdrawing several popular brands of dog food after an investigation by a Washington D.C. news station found trace amounts of a euthanasia drug in popular brands of the company’s dog food.
The Ohio-based company is voluntarily retracting four well-known varieties including Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Ol’ Roy, and Skippy canned wet dog food, according to a news release posted to The J.M. Smucker Company website, after one dog fell ill and died after consumption.
The move was brought on after a viewer contacted WJLA and said her dog fell ill and died after consuming a can of wet food produced by The J.M. Smucker Company, prompting the station to launch an investigation into the matter. Initial lab testing confirmed the presence of pentobarbital, a drug commonly used to euthanize animals.
To further explore the issue at hand, WJLA worked with an independent lab, testing 62 samples of wet dog food from more than 24 brands, including 15 cans of Gravy Train. Their findings revealed that 60 percent of the Gravy Train cans that were sampled tested positive for pentobarbital. The FDA, which forbids any amount of pentobarbital in pet food, is now investigating the matter.
“We take this very seriously and are extremely disappointed that pentobarbital was introduced to our supply chain. We will continue to work closely with our suppliers and veterinarians to ensure the ingredients used in our products meet or exceed regulatory safety standards and our high-quality standards,” said Barry Dunaway, President, Pet Food and Pet Snacks, in the company’s release. In addition to the withdrawal, the company also stopped all shipments impacted by this recall, which they’ve determined to be from a single supplier.
It’s been a tough go for dog food lately. Last week, the FDA issued two different recalls for pet food and treats contaminated with salmonella. Read the full story.
View a complete list of retracted dog wet food products with corresponding UPC codes. For a refund, replacement, or any questions, consumers should contact The J.M. Smucker Company at 800-828-9980 for more information.
