Smucker confirms euthanasia drug in popular dog food brands

Recall includes Gravy Train, Kibbles ’N Bits, Skippy, Ol’ Roy; FDA’s investigation, testing ongoing

The FDA has posted notice of a voluntary recall by The J.M. Smucker Company Inc. of canned dog food after the company confirmed pentobarbital in tallow used to manufactured the affected products.

In all, the recall covers more than 107 million cans of dog food in several flavors sold under the Gravy Train, Kibbles ’N Bits, Skippy and Ol’ Roy brands. Big Heart Pet Brands distributed the Gravy Train, Kibbles ’N Bits and Skippy dog food to retailers nationwide. Walmart Stores Inc. distributed the Ol’ Roy dog food.

Initially, the Food and Drug Administration FDA had agreed to allow Smucker to issue a “product withdrawal,” pending the results of lab tests. Once pentobarbital contamination was confirmed by the company itself, Smucker agreed to a voluntary recall.

Pentobarbital is a chemical sedative used by veterinarians to euthanize animals. The presence of it at any level in a pet food is illegal, and renders the product adulterated under federal law.

The recalled dog food is sold in individual cans and multi-can packs. Smucker products included in the recall are:

Gravy Train With Lamb & Rice Chunks, packaged in metal cans with Net WT 13.2 OZ; UPC: 7910005430 on flat case and 7910052543 on cans. Best By range 10 25 19 thru 02 09 2021; Code range: 6299 through 8040, each with the suffix plant number 803.
Gravy Train; With T-Bone Flavor Chunks; packaged in metal cans with Net WT 13.2 OZ; UPC: 7910005410 on flat case and 7910052541 on cans. Best By range 10 25 19 thru 02 09 2021; Code range: 6299 through 8040, each with the suffix plant number 803
Gravy Train With Beef Chunks; packaged in metal cans with Net WT 22 OZ and UPC: 7910051647 on flat case and 7910051647 on cans; or with Net WT 13.5 OZ and UPC: 7910052457 on flat case and 79100034417 on cans. Best By range 10 25 19 thru 02 09 2021; Code range: 6299 through 8040, each with the suffix plant number 803
Gravy Train With Chicken Chunks; packaged in metal cans; Net WT 22 OZ with UPC: 7910051645 on flat case and 7910051645 on cans; and Net WT 13.2 OZ with UPC: 7910052458 on flat case and 7910034418 on cans. Best By range 10 25 19 thru 02 09 2021; Code range: 6299 through 8040, each with the suffix plant number 803
Gravy Train With Strips In Gravy; packaged in metal cans with Net WT 13.2 OZ; UPC: 7910005420 on flat case and 7910052542 on cans. Best By range 10 25 19 thru 02 09 2021; Code range: 6299 through 8040, each with the suffix plant number 803
Ol’ Roy Dog Food Strips in Gravy With Turkey & Bacon; packaged in metal cans with Net Wt 13.2 OZ; UPC: 7910017570 on flat case and 8113117570 on cans. Code range: 6299 through 8040, each with the suffix plant number 803; Best By range 10 25 19 thru 02 09 2021
Kibbles ‘n Bits brand Dog Food; Chef’s Choice Homestyle Tender Slices With Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy; packaged in metal cans with Net Wt. 13.2 OZ; UPC: 7910052489A on flat case and 7910010380 on cans. Code range: 6299 through 8040, each with the suffix plant number 803; Best By range 10 25 19 thru 02 09 2021
Kibbles ‘n Bits brand Dog Food; Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts With Real Turkey, Bacon & Vegetables; packages in metal cans with Net Wt. 13.2 OZ; UPC: 7910052488A on flat case and 7910010378 on cans. Code range: 6299 through 8040, each with the suffix plant number 803; Best By range 10 25 19 thru 02 09 2021
Kibbles ‘n Bits brand Dog Food; Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts With Real Beef & Vegetables In Gravy; packaged in metal cans with Net Wt. 13.2 OZ; UPC: 7910052486A on flat case and 7910010375 on cans. Code range: 6299 through 8040, each with the suffix plant number 803; Best By range 10 25 19 thru 02 09 2021
Skippy Premium Chunks in gravy; Chunky Stew; packaged in metal cans with Net Wt. 13.2 OZ; UPC: 7910052469 on flat case and 7910050249 on cans. Code range: 6299 through 8040, each with the suffix plant number 803; Best By range 10 25 19 thru 02 09 2021
Skippy Premium Chunks in gravy; With Beef; packaged in metal cans with Net Wt. 13.2 OZ; UPC: 7910052508 on flat case and 7910050250 on cans. Code range: 6299 through 8040, each with the suffix plant number 803; Best By range 10 25 19 thru 02 09 2021
Skippy Premium Strips in Gravy; With Beef; packaged in metal cans with Net Wt. 13.2 OZ; UPC: 7910052509 on flat case and 7910050245 on cans. Code range: 6299 through 8040, each with the suffix plant number 803; Best By range 10 25 19 thru 02 09 2021
Kibbles ‘n Bits 12 Can Variety Pack; Chef’s Choice Bistro, containing 4 cans of Hearty Cuts with Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables In Gravy; Chef’s Choice Homestyle, 4 cans of Meatballs & Pasta Dinner with Real Beef in Tomato Sauce; Chef’s Choice Bistro, and 4 cans of Bistro Tender Cuts With Real Turkey, Bacon & Vegetables in Gravy; packaged in metal cans with 12 – 13.2 OZ Cans per case; Total Net Wt 9 LB 14 OZ; Variety Pack paper box UPC: 7910027750; These packages are not meant for individual can sales and are sold as a 12 can Variety Pack. Code range: 6299 through 8040, each with the suffix plant number 803; Best By range 10 25 19 thru 02 09 2021
Kibbles ‘n Bits 12 Can Variety Pack; containing 4 cans of Chef’s Choice Bistro, Hearty Cuts with Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables In Gravy; 4 cans of Chef’s Choice Homestyle, Meatballs & Pasta Dinner with Real Beef in Tomato Sauce; and 4 cans of Chef’s Choice Bistro, Bistro Tender Cuts With Real Turkey, Bacon & Vegetables in Gravy; packaged in metal cans with 12 – 13.2 OZ Cans per case; Total Net Wt 9 LB 14 OZ; Variety Pack paper box UPC: 7910027750. These packages are not meant for individual can sales and are sold as a 12 can Variety Pack. Code range: 6299 through 8040, each with the suffix plant number 803; Best By range 10 25 19 thru 02 09 2021
Kibbles ‘n Bits 12 Can Variety Pack; containing 6 cans of Chef’s Choice American Grill, Burger Dinner With Real Bacon & Cheese Bits In Gravy; and 6 cans of Chef’s Choice Bistro, Tender Cuts With Real Turkey, Bacon & Vegetables In Gravy; packages in metal cans with 12 – 13.2 OZ cans per case; Total Net Wt 9 LB 14 OZ; Variety Pack paper box UPC: 7910027685. These packages are not meant for individual can sales and are sold as a 12 can Variety Pack. Code range: 6299 through 8040, each with the suffix plant number 803; Best By range 10 25 19 thru 02 09 2021

Excluded from Friday’s voluntary recall are a number of products reported previously by Food Safety News to have been withdrawn from the market, based on information obtained directly from the company. FDA has not yet resolved this discrepancy, an agency spokesperson said.

Test results are still pending on finished product samples collected by FDA, and the agency is continuing its investigation.

What consumers should know
Pets should not be fed any of the recalled products. Consumers should safely dispose of the recalled cans of pet food and/or contact the company or the place of purchase for information about returning the products.

Pets that consume a food containing pentobarbital can experience drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, loss of balance, nausea, inability to stand and nystagmus, which causes the eyes to move back and forth in a jerky manner. Consuming high levels of pentobarbital can cause coma and death. However, low levels of pentobarbital are unlikely to pose a health risk to pets, according to FDA.

People who think their pets have become ill after consuming pet food contaminated with pentobarbital should contact their veterinarians.

The FDA encourages consumers to report complaints about this and other pet food products electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling their state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators.

This story first appeared in Food Safety News and is reposted here with permission.

Recalls and Alerts: March 1 – 4, 2018

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.

United States

Outbreak Alert: CDC reports 40 illnesses in 27 states linked to consumption of kratom. Fourteen people have been hospitalized. The outbreak strain of Salmonella I 4,[5],12:b:- was identified by the North Dakota Department of Health in two samples of kratom obtained from an outbreak victim in North Dakota.

Allergy Alert: J Bar B Foods recalls simple truth Chicken Sausage Links SPINACH GRUYERE (12-oz. vacuum-sealed plastic packages; Lot #8034; Case code 90394; Sell by APR 16 2018) due to undeclared milk. The recalled item was shipped to retail locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah and Virginia.

Allergy Alert: Sensenig Turkey Farm LLC recalls approximately 1,925 pounds of turkey sausage products due to undeclared wheat and soy. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were shipped to retail locations in Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Food Safety Recall: Interstate Meat Distributors, Inc. recalls approximately 14,806 pounds of ground beef and pork products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were shipped to retail locations in Oregon, Utah, and Washington state.

Food Safety Recall: Olli Salumeria Americana recalls approximately 3,946 pounds of ready-to-eat meat products due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were shipped to retail locations nationwide and exported to Canada.

Food Safety Recall and Allergy Alert: The Kansas City Baking Company recalls an undetermined amount of ready-to-eat meat products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection and which contain undeclared wheat, eggs, soy, and milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were shipped to café locations in Kansas and Missouri.

Pet Food Safety Recall: Steve’s Real Food recalls Raw Frozen Dog Food Turkey Canine Recipe (5-lb bags; Lot #E 178; Best by 09/27/18; UPC 6-91730-15303-8) due to potential Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was distributed to retail pet food stores in states of CA, CO, CT, IA, KS, FL, MD, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, NJ, NV, NY, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA, and WA.

Pet Food Safety Recall: Blue Ridge Beef recalls Kitten Grind raw pet food (2-lb chubs; Lot#GA1102, stamped on metal clip at ends of chubs; Manufactured on 11/02/2017) due to potential contamination with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. The recall was initiated after the FDA received a complaint of two kitten deaths, including one death which was confirmed to be caused by Salmonella septicemia. The recalled products were shipped to Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and North Carolina.

Pet Food Safety Recall: The J.M. Smucker Company Inc. has recalled various Gravy Train, Ol’ Roy, Kibbles ‘N Bits and Skippy wet/canned pet food products after the company confirmed the presence of pentobarbital in tallow, an ingredient in all of the recalled products. Please refer to the FDA Enforcement Report Event notice for a complete list of affected products.

Canada

Food Safety Alert: CFIA warns the public not to consume home-made Organic Mushroom Soup (1L size) sold at Belleville Farmer’s Market because it may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum.

Food Safety Recall: Loblaw Companies Limited recalls Cooked Shrimp (56/65 Shirmp/lb – Pacific White Shrimp (300g; Product code 2018 OC 20: PM AP; UPC 0 60249 00927 1) due to the potential presence of raw shrimp, which may contain harmful bacteria. Please refer to the recall notice for information on distribution of the affected product.

Food Safety Recall: Tarini Brothers Meat and Fish Market recalls certain Smoked Rainbow Trout products because they may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were sold from Tarini Brothers Meat and Fish Market, 1055 Lorne St., Sudbury, Ontario.

Food Safety Recall: Industry recalls certain Gusto brand and Olli brand ready-to-eat meat products due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were imported from the USA and distributed to retailers nationwide.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Delhaize recalls Delhaize Lait Demi-Ecrémé sans Lactose / Delaize part-skim lactose-free milk (1L; Lot #350013; Best by 15/06/2018) because the product may contain lactose in excess of the amount permitted for a lactose-free product.

Allergy Alert (Germany): Body Attack Sports Nutrition recalls Soja Isolate Shake, Chocolate flavor (750g; Lot #6016181; Best by 31.05.2018) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert Update (Sweden): Saltå Kvarn expands an earlier recall to include additional flour products due to traces of undeclared soy and milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Løgismose recalls Chicken breast (370-500g; Lot #501800821; Best by 5 / 3-2018) due to excessive levels of Campylobacter in the meat.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Defco A/S recalls Mixed deli meats (400g pkg; Best by 14/3-2018) due to possible presence of metal shavings.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): EWG Eberswalder Wurst GmbH recalls Eberswalder Original Schorfheider Knüppelsalami (250g; Best by 04.03.2018; Lot #L10446) because the product may contain pieces of red plastic.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): XOX Gebäck GmbH recalls XOX Edler Veggie Mix (80g; Best by 05.06.2018; Lot #17248) due to Salmonella contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Go with your Gut Ltd recalls Go with your Gut brand Kombucha (750mL bottle; all flavors; all batches) because the product may exceed the maximum acceptable level of alcohol for non-alcoholic beverages.

Recalls and Alerts: February 26 – 28, 2017

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United States

Food Safety Recall: Caven’s Meats (Conover, OH) recalls Hickory Smoked Baked Ham – Water Added (various packages sizes; Packed on dates December 30, 2017 through February 2, 2018) due to a processing deviation and possible presence of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin.

Canada

Allergy Alert: S. Bourassa Mont-Tremblant ltée (Mont Tremblant, QC) recalls BONBON FRUIT ASS / Assorted Fruit Candies (variable weights; all lots up to and including 27 February 2018) due to undeclared soy, milk, wheat and eggs.

Allergy Alert: IGA Marché Toppetta (Montreal, QC) recalls various products due to undeclared sesame seeds, wheat and nuts. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert Update: Industry recalls Lotte brand Kancho Choco Biscuit (54g and 216g; All batch codes where peanut is not declared) due to undeclared peanut. The recalled product was distributed by retailers in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and possibly nationally.

Food Safety Recall: IKEA Canada recalls IKEA GODIS PÅSKKYCKLING Marshmallow candy (100g; All codes sold in 2018; UPC 1.602.603.11.0002) due to mice infestation in the production facility.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Denmark): ASBA Danmark ApS recalls various Gourmet Easter Eggs due to undeclared milk, soy, almonds, pistachio nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts and gluten. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Importer recalls Hellenic Grocery Handmade Loukoumi Mixed Flavours (200g) due to undeclared pistachio. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected batch codes and Best Before dates.

Allergy Alert (UK): DSAM Consulting S.A. recalls Hellenic Grocery Handmade Loukoumi Mixed Flavours (200g) due to undeclared pistachio. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected batch codes and Best Before dates.

Allergy Alert (UK): Lidl recalls Favorina Dip Eggs Cocoa Crème and Favorina Dip Eggs Milk Crème (4 x 36g; Batch code L1506A7LP; Best by 30.07.2018) due to undeclared milk, gluten, egg, peanut, soya, and nuts.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Biofresh Belgium recalls Biscotte à la farine de bise (270g; Lot #172812 and 174722; Best by 12/07/2018 and 22/11/2018 respectively) due to possible foreign object (glass) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Finland): Valio Oy recalls Valio Tutti 1 milk-based infant formula and Valio Tutti 2 milk-based follow-on formula (1-L UHT; Best before 14.6.2018) due to a packaging defect that may result in product spoilage.

Food Safety Recall (Finland): IKEA Oy recalls IKEA GODIS PÅSKKYCKLING Marshmallow candy (100g; All codes sold in 2018; UPC 1.602.603.11.0002) due to mice infestation in the production facility.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Lidl recalls Eridanous Squid Rings (630g; Batch 8003; best-before date: 07/2019; Product of Greece) as the cooking instructions are not in English.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Senoble Italia SpA recalls Vitalibre brand Latte Fermentato Gusto Mirtillo / Blueberry flavor fermented milk (2 x 125g; Best by 10-03-2018) due to possible foreign matter (metal) contamination.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Allergy Alert (Hong Kong): Edo Trading Company recalls Lotte Kancho Biscuit (Choco) (54g; Best by May 18, 2018 and May 19, 2018; Product of Korea) due to undecalred almonds.

Australia and New Zealand

Outbreak Alert/Food Safety Recall (Australia): Rockmelons from a single grower in Nericon, New South Wales have been linked to an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses in ten (10) elderly people in New South Wales (6 cases), Victoria (1 case) and Queensland (3 cases) between January 17 and February 9, 2018. The company ceased production after receiving notification of the problem and the implicated produce has been removed from the market.

Allergy Alert (Australia): Manassen Foods recalls Sharwood’s Plain Puppodums (113g; All Best Before End Dates up to and including Best Before End MAY 2019) due to undeclared gluten.