Another dog food recall has been announced, following a salmonella outbreak affecting four companies.
Smucker's 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.
Pentobarbital is a drug is commonly used to euthanize animals, according to WNDU.
Smucker's 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.
The following products are affected:
- Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with T-Bone Flavor Chunks, UPC code: 7910052541
- Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with Beef Strips, UPC code: 7910052542
- Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with Lamb and Rice Chunks, UPC code: 7910052543
- Gravy Train 22 oz. with Chicken Chunks, UPC code: 7910051645
- Gravy Train 22 oz. with Beef Chunks, UPC code: 7910051647
- Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with Beef Chunks, UPC code: 7910034417
- Gravy Train 13.2 oz. with Chicken Chunks, UPC code: 7910034418
- Gravy Train 13.2 oz. Chunks in Gravy Stew, UPC code: 7910051933
- Gravy Train 13.2 oz. Chicken, Beef & Liver Medley, UPC code: 7910051934
- Gravy Train 13.2 oz. Chunks in Gravy with Beef Chunks, UPC code: 7910034417
- Kibbles 'N Bits 13.2 oz. Burger Bacon Cheese and Turkey Bacon Vegetable Variety 12-Pack, UPC codes: 7910010377, 7910010378
- Kibbles 'N Bits 13.2 oz. Beef, Chicken, Vegetable, Meatball Pasta and Turkey Bacon Vegetable Var. Pack, UPC codes: 7910010382, 7910048367, 7910010378
- Kibbles 'N Bits 13.2 oz. Beef, Chicken, Vegetable, Burger Bacon Cheese and Beef Vegetable Variety Pack, UPC codes: 7910010380, 7910010377, 7910010375
- Kibbles 'N Bits 13.2 oz. Wet Variety Pack, UPC codes: 7910010375, 7910048367
- Kibbles 'N Bits 13.2 oz. Chef's Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Beef & Vegetable in Gravy, UPC codes: 7910010375, 7910048367
- Kibbles 'N Bits Chef's Choice Homestyle Tender Slices with Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy, UPC codes: 7910010378, 7910010380
An investigation is ongoing, and Smucker's promised to take the appropriate steps to ensure this does not occur again. The company said it's 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 Smucker's, 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, Nature's Recipe, Canine Carry Outs, Milo's 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 -- Darwin's 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.
