More than 15 varieties of Smucker’s pet foods are being pulled from retail shelves nationwide following an investigation into pentobarbital-laced dog food.
A variety of popular dog food brands owned by Smucker’s are being pulled from store shelves nationwide.
The announcement comes following an independent investigation that found pentobarbital in multiple samples of Gravy Train wet dog food, a brand owned by Smucker’s. The investigation, led by Washington, DC TV station WJLA and Ellipse Analytics, has sparked an FDA investigation into the brand and a class action lawsuit.
Smucker’s is the parent company of Big Heart Pet Foods, which manufactures Gravy Train and other popular pet food brands including Meow Mix, Milk Bone, Kibbles ’n Bits, 9 Lives, Natural Balance, Pup-Peroni, Nature’s Recipe, Canine Carry Outs, Milo’s Kitchen, Alley Cat, Jerky Treats, Meaty Bone, Pounce, and Snausages.
Although the WJLA investigation only uncovered pentobarbital in Gravy Train products, the current list of dog foods being removed from stores also includes products from Kibbles 'n Bits, Ol' Roy, and Skippy brands. The withdrawals include all lots of the following products manufactured from 2016 through the present.
Product Name
UPC Item Code(s)
Gravy Train 13.2-oz with T-Bone Flavor Chunks
7910052541
Gravy Train 13.2-oz with Beef Strips
7910052542
Gravy Train 13.2-oz with Lamb and Rice Chunks
7910052543
Gravy Train 22-oz with Chicken Chunks
7910051645
Gravy Train 22-oz with Beef Chunks
7910051647
Gravy Train 13.2-oz with Beef Chunks
7910034417
Gravy Train 13.2-oz with Chicken Chunks
7910034418
Gravy Train 13.2-oz Chunks in Gravy Stew
7910051933
Gravy Train 13.2-oz Chicken, Beef & Liver Medley
7910051934
Gravy Train 13.2-oz Chunks in Gravy with Beef Chunks
7910034417
Kibbles ‘n Bits 13.2-oz Burger Bacon Cheese and Turkey Bacon Vegetable Variety Pack 12-Pack
7910010377,
7910010378
Kibbles ‘n Bits 13.2-oz Beef, Chicken, Vegetable, Meatball Pasta and Turkey Bacon Vegetable Variety Pack
7910010382, 7910048367, 7910010378
Kibbles ‘n Bits 13.2-oz Beef, Chicken, Vegetable, Burger Bacon Cheese and Beef Vegetable Variety Pack
7910010380, 7910010377, 7910010375
Kibbles ‘n Bits 13.2-oz Wet Variety Pack
7910010375,
7910048367
Kibbles ‘n Bits 13.2-oz Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Beef & Vegetable in Gravy
7910010375
Kibbles 'n Bits Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Turkey, Bacon, & Vegetable in Gravy
7910010378
Kibbles ‘n Bits Chef’s Choice Homestyle Tender Slices with Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy
7910010380
Ol’ Roy Strips 13-oz Turkey Bacon
8113117570
Skippy 13.2-oz Premium Select Cuts in Gravy with Beef & Bone Marrow
7910071860
Skippy 13.2-oz Chunks in Gravy with Beef
7910050250
Skippy 13.2-oz Premium Strips in Gravy with Beef
7910050245
Kibbles ‘n Bits has released a statement on its website that reads in part: “Veterinarians and animal nutrition specialists, as well as the FDA, have confirmed that extremely low levels of pentobarbital, like the levels referenced in this report, do not pose a threat to pet safety. However, 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. Out of an abundance of caution we initiated a voluntary withdrawal on specific shipments of Kibbles ‘n Bits canned/wet dog food because they do not meet our quality specifications.”
Gravy Train also issued a statement on its website indicating that the company has narrowed the focus of its investigation to a single supplier and a single, minor ingredient used at 1 manufacturing facility.
Pet owners with any of these foods in their homes should return the items to the place of purchase for a full refund.