On Friday, February 16, 2018, J.M.Smucker Company announced that some of their wet dog food was being recalled because of low levels of pentobarbital. The recall includes those of Gravy Train, Kibbles N Bits, Ol’ Roy, and Skippy canned wet dog food products.
What is pentobarbital? It’s one of three ingredients that are used to put dogs to sleep — the bad kind of sleep. The kind of sleep where they never wake up. But, my question is, why does J.M.Smucker Company have this ingredient in their food facility at all? What is the purpose of it?
For years, we have heard of other dog and cat foods being contaminated by poisons and toxins harmful to our dearly beloved pets. We deserve to have better for the animals that are sometimes the equivalent to our children. My little sister had a little Yorkshire dog that died from high levels of poison in her dog food. My brother-in-law also had a dog die from the food he trusted. When will it stop?
But, what other options do consumers have? Purchase better food. As close as natural food is always the best. Here are places around the area that this type of food can be purchased:
PetPeople
Multiple locations through Dayton and Cincinnati
Try this brand:
Raw Naturals Dog food
PetSmart
Multiple locations throughout the Dayton and Cincinnati area
Try this brand:
Blue Wilderness Dog Food
Chewy.com
Try this brand:
Natural Balance
The press release dated February 16, 2018, stated, “While veterinarians and animal nutrition specialists, as well as the FDA, have confirmed that extremely low levels of this substance do not pose a threat to pet safety, its presence at any level is not acceptable to Smucker and not up to its quality standards.”
“We take this very seriously and are extremely disappointed that pentobarbital was introduced to our supply chain. We will continue to work closely with our suppliers and veterinarians to ensure the ingredients used in our products meet or exceed regulatory safety standards and our high-quality standards,” said Barry Dunaway, President, Pet Food and Pet Snacks. “Above all, we are a company that loves pets and understand the responsibility we have in providing high quality food for the pets our consumers love.”
This is the complete list of the foods affected by the recall:
| Item 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 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 |
| Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Select Cuts in Gravy with Beef & Bone Marrow | 7910071860 |
| Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Select Cuts with Burgers & Cheese Bits | 7910050243 |
| Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy with Smoky Turkey & Bacon | 7910050246 |
| Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy with Beef & Chicken | 7910050247 |
| Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy 3 in 1 Chicken, Beef & Liver | 7910050248 |
| Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Chunks in Gravy Chunky Stew | 7910050249 |
| Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Strips in Gravy with Chicken | 7910050244 |
| Skippy 13.2 oz, Premium Chunks in Gravy with Beef | 7910050250 |
| Skippy 13.2 oz. Premium Strips in Gravy with Beef | 7910050245 |
| Ol’ Roy 13.2 oz Turkey Bacon Strips | 8113117570 |
Consumers who purchased the product referenced can call the Company at 800-828-9980, Monday through Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST, or email at http://www.bigheartpet.com/Contact/ContactUs.aspx with any questions, concerns, or for a refund or replacement product.
If the Smucker’s company puts this stuff in our dog food, what are they putting in our foods?
City Skipper Gal 