Dog Foods From 3 Smucker's Pet Food Brands Removed From Stores

Read the FDA update about the potential pentobarbital contamination.

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.