Pentobarbital is a sedative typically used to treat insomnia, but can also induce death when administered in large doses. The sedative is a known euthanasia drug given to pets when they are put to sleep.
Smucker claims that the amount detected was “extremely low” and did not pose a risk to pets, however, its presence was “not acceptable.”
Dog food products affected by the recall include:
- Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with T-Bone Flavor Chunks – UPC: 7910052541
- Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with Beef Strips – UPC: 7910052542
- Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with Lamb and Rice Chunks – UPC: 7910052543
- Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with Beef Chunks – UPC: 7910034417
- Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with Chicken Chunks – UPC: 7910034418
- Gravy Train 13.2 oz. Chunks in Gravy Stew – UPC: 7910051933
- Gravy Train 13.2 oz. Chicken, Beef & Liver Medley – UPC: 7910051934
- Gravy Train 13.2 oz. Chunks in Gravy with Beef Chunks – UPC: 7910034417
- Gravy Train 22 oz. with Chicken Chunks – UPC: 7910051645
- Gravy Train 22 oz. with Beef Chunks – UPC: 7910051647
- Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2 oz. Burger Bacon Cheese and Turkey Bacon Vegetable Variety 12-Pack – UPC: 7910010377; 7910010378
- Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2 oz. Beef, Chicken, Vegetable, Meatball Pasta and Turkey Bacon Vegetable Variety Pack – UPC: 7910010382; 7910048367; 7910010378
- Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2 oz. Beef, Chicken, Vegetable, Burger Bacon Cheese and Beef Vegetable Variety Pack – UPC: 7910010380; 7910010377; 7910010375
- Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2 oz. Wet Variety Pack – UPC: 791001037; 7910048367
- Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2 oz. Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Beef & Vegetable in Gravy – UPC: 7910010375
- Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2 oz. Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Turkey, Bacon & Vegetable in Gravy – UPC: 7910010378
- Kibbles ‘N Bits 13.2 oz. Chef’s Choice Homestyle Tender Slices with Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy – UPC: 7910010380
- Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Select Cuts in Gravy with Beef & Bone Marrow – UPC: 7910071860
- Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Select Cuts with Burgers & Cheese Bits – UPC: 7910050243
- Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy with Smoky Turkey & Bacon – UPC: 7910050246
- Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy with Beef & Chicken – UPC: 7910050247
- Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy 3 in 1 Chicken, Beef & Liver – UPC: 7910050248
- Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy Chunky Stew – UPC: 7910050249
- Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Strips in Gravy with Chicken – UPC: 7910050244
- Skippy 13.2 oz, Premium Chunks in Gravy with Beef – UPC: 7910050250
- Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Strips in Gravy with Beef – UPC: 7910050245
- Ol’ Roy 13.2 oz Turkey Bacon Strips – UPC: 8113117570
Phenobarbital was uncovered during a study commissioned by WJLA, a Washington D.C. area television station. Gravy Train was the only brand of pet food that was found to contain pentobarbital.
The study was undertaken in response to the 2017 discovery of pentobarbital in brands of canned/wet dog food manufactured by Evanger’s Dog & Cat Food Co. Inc., an adulteration that resulted in serious illnesses in several pets and at least one death.
Source: CBS Minnesota
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