Maker: The J.M. Smucker Company
Cause: Potential for low levels of pentobarbital
Announcement: Gravy Train website announcement (archived here); Kibbles ‘N Bits website announcement (archived here); company email to Petful dated Feb. 15, 2018 (archived here); and FDA announcement dated Feb. 16, 2018, and updated March 2, 2018 (archived here)
What was recalled: The company is recalling the following canned dog foods manufactured from 2016 to Feb. 15, 2018:
Gravy Train:
- 13.2 oz. With T-Bone Flavor Chunks, UPC# 7910052541
- 13.2 oz. With Beef Strips, UPC# 7910052542
- 13.2 oz. With Lamb and Rice Chunks, UPC# 7910052543
- 13.2 oz. With Beef Chunks, UPC# 7910034417
- 22 oz. With Beef Chunks, UPC# 7910051647
- 13.2 oz. With Chicken Chunks, UPC# 7910034418
- 22 oz. With Chicken Chunks, UPC# 7910051645
- 13.2 oz. Chunks in Gravy Stew, UPC# 7910051933
- 13.2 oz. Chicken, Beef & Liver Medley, UPC# 7910051934
- 13.2 oz. Chunks in Gravy with Beef Chunks, 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 oz. cans, UPC# 7910010377 and 7910010378
- 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 oz. cans, UPC# 7910010382, 7910048367 and 7910010378
- 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 oz. cans, UPC# 7910010380, 7910010377 and 7910010375
- Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts With Real Beef & Vegetables in Gravy, 13.2 oz. can, UPC# 7910010375
- Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts With Real Turkey, Bacon & Vegetables in Gravy, 13.2 oz. can, UPC# 7910010378
- Chef’s Choice Homestyle Tender Slices With Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy, 13.2 oz. can, UPC# 7910010380
Ol’ Roy:
- Strips Turkey Bacon, 13.2 oz. can, UPC# 8113117570
Skippy:
- Premium Chunks in Gravy Chunky Stew, 13.2 oz. can, UPC# 79100502469
- Premium Chunks in Gravy With Beef, 13.2 oz. can, UPC# 7910050250
- Premium Strips in Gravy With Beef, 13.2 oz. can, UPC# 7910050245
This recall — the company is calling it a “voluntary withdrawal,” but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is saying it’s a recall — follows a report from WJLA-TV that found traces of pentobarbital in tested cans of Gravy Train dog food. Pentobarbital is a powerful sedative often used as a euthanasia drug.
WJLA-TV, an ABC affiliate out of Washington, D.C., announced the results of its months-long investigation into various pet foods on Feb. 8, 2018 — and the results were “explosive,” according to reporter Lisa Fletcher.
In a statement to Petful several days later, The J.M. Smucker Company said this recall was being taken “out of an abundance of caution” because certain shipments “do not meet our quality specifications.”
The statement continued:
“The presence of this substance at any level is not acceptable to us and not up to our quality standards. We sincerely apologize for the concern this has caused. We take this very seriously and are extremely disappointed that pentobarbital was introduced to our supply chain. We have narrowed the focus of our investigation to a single supplier and a single, minor ingredient, used at one manufacturing facility. We will take the appropriate steps to ensure this does not occur again.”
The FDA has hinted that more products may be taken off the market, explaining that it “has become aware of reports of other products also subject to withdrawal.” The agency says it has asked Smuckers for clarification.
In this video, I discuss the news:
UPDATE: We Now Know What Mystery Meat Was in Tainted Gravy Train
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There were more recalls in 2018. See the previous one:
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