Euthanasia Drug Contamination Fears Behind Dog Food Recall

A year after two Illinois companies pulled dog food from store shelves for the same reason, multiple dog food products have been recalled after the FDA says there is a potential for pentobarbital contamination. Pentobarbital is a drug used in animals as a sedative, anesthetic or for euthanasia.

According to the FDA, there is potential for contamination in certain canned dog foods manufactured by The J.M. Smucker Company. After learning of positive pentobarbital results, the company recalled various canned dog food products from its Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Ol’ Roy, and Skippy brands.

The FDA says that its evaluation of the test results indicates that the level of pentobarbital present is unlikely to pose a health risk to pets. However, the agency cautions that pentobarbital should never be present in pet food and a product with even some amount of pentobarbital are considered adulterated.

In February and March of 2017, two Illinois pet food companies owned by the same family voluntarily recalled several varieties of food after five dogs reportedly became ill and one died after eating food that was feared to be contaminated with pentobarbital. Those recalls affected several varieties of Evanger's dog foods and Against the Grain pet food.

Recently, the FDA said J.M. Smucker provided the following list to the company of recalled products:

• 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 firm is withdrawing all lots of these products that were manufactured from 2016 through the present. The products were distributed to retailers nationwide.

The FDA said it is monitoring for any pet illnesses associated with the contamination. The FDA says it has received reports of other products subject to the recall and has requested information from the company.

"Pets that eat pet food containing pentobarbital can experience drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, loss of balance, nausea, nystagmus (eyes moving back and forth in a jerky manner) and inability to stand," according to the recall notice. "Consuming high levels of pentobarbital can cause coma and death."

You can find more information regarding the recall on the FDA website.

Image via Shutterstock

By Feroze Dhanoa, Patch National Staff