The Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert about canned dog foods after they were found to be potentially contaminated with a drug used by the state of Texas to execute prisoners.
The FDA issued the alert on products manufactured by the J.M. Smucker Company after certain cans of Gravy Train dog food were potentially contaminated with low-levels of pentobarbital.
The J.M. Smucker Company has voluntarily recalled various cans of Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Ol’ Roy, and Skippy brands of dog food.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the Company initiated a voluntary product withdrawal and has taken action to remove specific shipments that were impacted from its supply chain as well as provided actionable information to its consumers and retail partners. The Company has identified the root cause to be a single supplier and a single, minor ingredient, used at one manufacturing facility,” states a J.M. Smucker Company news release.
The low-levels of the euthanasia drug are unlikely to be dangerous to pets, but should never be present in food products, according to a FDA news release.
While the FDA investigates the source of the potential contamination, the J.M. Smucker Company is withdrawing the following products from stores across the country:
- 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 has asked the J.M. Smucker Company to clarify the reason more products have not been recalled as of Feb. 16.
Anyone with the potentially contaminated dog food should call the J.M. Smucker Company at 800-828-9980 during regular business hours for a replacement product or refund, according to the release.
