Deadly Drug Found in Dog Food; Smucker’s Gravy Train Contaminated with Pentobarbital.
A shocking report from an ABC news investigation reveals that the deadly euthanizing drug sodium pentobarbital was found in the iconic American dog food: Gravy Train. A lethal drug, most commonly used to euthanize dogs, cats, and horses, were found in cans of Gravy Train dog food. Out of fifteen cans ABC tested, nine cans — 60 % of the samples — were positive for pentobarbital.
ABC tells us that: “After months of tests and re-tests, one brand repeatedly came back positive for pentobarbital … And while the levels detected were not lethal, under federal law they are also not permitted at any concentration.”
ABC’s investigation began after Nikki Mael’s dog Tulula died after consuming a can of Evanger’s dog food that was contaminated with the same euthanasia drug sodium pentobarbital.
ABC questioned Smucker’s about the findings, but Smucker’s declined to answer any of the questions posed to them. Instead, they responded by stating in a notice on their website that they “do not believe this is a pet safety issue,” and they are in the process of “determining the accuracy of the claims included in this news outlet’s investigation and the testing methodology used.”
Despite the test results, Smucker’s denies that their pet food contains “3D or 4D meat/by-products (euthanized animals/pets)” and that they abide by AAFCO’s rule that strictly forbids “3D or 4D meat such as dead, dying, disabled, or diseased animals.” And they are quick to distance themselves from Evanger’s, the company whose pet food was also contaminated with pentobarbital, by saying that they are, “are not associated with that brand.”
Taking a page from Evanger’s playbook, however, Smucker’s distances themselves from any responsibility by saying that the poisoned material could “unintentionally be in raw materials provided by a supplier.” Although, Smucker’s claims that they “regularly audit their suppliers” and have “assurances from them about the quality and specifications of the materials they supply us.”
The supplier Smucker’s most likely is referring to is their source of meat and bone meal – a product obtained from renderers. While most renderers process material that comes from slaughterhouses, smaller independent renderers pick up and process dead animals from any number of unsavory locations in varying states of decay, including from locations such as animal shelters.
In response to the report, the FDA states that they plan to “investigate and take appropriate enforcement action. Today, (Feb. 8, 2018) the FDA received the test results of the samples of dog food from ABC7. We plan to review the results and determine appropriate action. We also encourage consumers to report any complaints about pet food products to FDA.”
Consumers with questions should immediately report any problems with Gravy Train in connection with their pets to the FDA. Although at this time there are no other Smucker’s owned Big Heart Pet Foods implicated in the investigation it is possible that their other brands, such as Meow Mix, Milk-Bone, Kibbles’n Bits, 9 Lives, Natural Balance, Pup-Peroni, Gravy Train, Nature’s Recipe, Canine Carry Outs, Milo’s Kitchen, Alley Cat, Jerky Treats, Meaty Bone, Pounce and Snausages, may also contain material from the same supplier that supplied Big Heart Pet Foods with the material that contaminated Gravy Train.
The question consumers have is how did Gravy Train – a staple in grocery stores across America – descend from its wholesome image as an iconic American brand of dog food into America’s poisoned pet food? This news not only shakes public confidence in Smucker’s to provide them with safe and wholesome food but to all mainstream pet food brands. Companies like Smucker’s have a responsibility to have adequate safeguards in place to make sure adulterated ingredients and proteins from unknown sources do not get into their supply chain. Without it, consumers cannot maintain faith in a system that allows animals euthanized with sodium pentobarbital make its way into the food they feed their pets.
Consumers can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area or go to FDA to report a problem with a pet food. Canadians can report any health or safety incidents related to the use of this product by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form
Pet Food Safety News publishes reader-supported investigative reporting on commercial pet food, industry practices, and regulatory issues affecting consumers. It has no financial ties to pet food companies. Donations help fund the research, writing, and publishing costs behind this work and support continued reporting on transparency, accountability, and consumer protection in the pet food industry. If you value this reporting, please consider making a donation.
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38 Comments
Tanya McCraney
GRAVY TRAIN dry dog food made ALL 6 of my beloved Dobermans seriously SICK!! it made them lethargic with vomiting and serious diarrhea!! I will NEVER spend my money on that product again!!!
Jeanne
People that have more loyalty to a company than their pets shame on you.
Kathy
Don’t buy dog and cat food from a grocery store. It is all absolutely crap food. Do your research on foods for your pets. The better foods are sold in Pet Stores but even research those brands before you buy. You can also just buy fresh meats and vegetables and fruits and make your own food as it is the healthiest as long as you follow good recipes. No garlic, onion,corn etc.
Tracey Boisseau
We live in Ohio,we took our dog to get paid a lot for blood work,My dog died he was 7 Feeding him gravy train.Very sad it was a nightmare see to see him go through that heart breaking .He was family.What can we do about this Help! Its a nightmare that we were feeding him food that killed him.
Jeremy Abbott
I think that is awfull and that I might have been slowly killing my dog, my best friend,it’s a shame you can’t trust the quality of food that you are buying for your animals. Especially when it’s from a well known grocery store that you should beable to trust and depend on and why are the stores still carrying the products they know have the Ingredients I don’t understand why there not doing something about it, at least pulling it of the shelf’s and giving us something to replace it, it’s just a shame there doing this to our animals right under our nose and we are paying for it, it’s really awfull , wonder if the ceo if these companies are feeding there pets the same thing or did they know what was in it the hole time, it’s animal cruelty
c leo
And why are pet food companies allowed to own veterinary chains (e.g., Mars, which owns Banfield and VCA)? Allow the wolf in the door why don’t you. Gives vets an incentive not to report illnesses/deaths caused by these foods. Pet food companies also put a lot of money into veterinary schools. Our future vets are beholden to them. The whole industry is incestuous.
c leo
(Mars owns Royal Canin and Nutro, among many other pet food companies…)
Rick
Wow!!!! We fed our dog this exact Gravy Train in the can for at least the past three years. Our dog suddenly passed away three months ago and she was only 7 years old, and she had just passed her yearly exam at the Vet, two months prior. We had figured it was a sudden heart attack, maybe this is what caused her death, don’t know for sure but odd coincidence! We still have a dozen cans of this on the shelf, gonna throw them out now for sure!!!
Stan Varsh
Don’t throw them out Rick, get them TESTED.
Dont Skip Chemistry
No this didnt kill or harm your dog in any way.
Anita Grace
I used to feed “gravy train” to all my German Shepherd‘s and other dogs that I’ve had approximately 14 of them! Never had a problem that I am aware of,
I now feel “Nature’s Recipe“ since 2006 and my Chihuahua is 14 years old, yes, she has some health issues but she is a senior citizen.
How could and why could there be any euthanasia drug in a dog food? Unless it’s a disgruntled employee putting it in on purpose! They should be found out and prosecuted to the fullest!!! if it is true!
Colette Warde
Not to be rude but, you obviously did not read the article. The euthanasia drug comes from companies buying rendered meat that comes from animals who were put down with the drug. The article states that. It’s not a mystery.
wnvodfjos dnsuorn
If you read the above article it clearly says, it’s because they are getting ingredients from places that are including euthanized animal carcasses in said ingredients, and that’s how it would be getting into the food! NOT a disgruntled employee!
VeryAngryBlonde
Certain “people” should not be allowed to work within our food system, for human or pets!
Make sure 100% of your food is made in The USA. The only ingredient you will find that is common in both human and pet food is Vitamin E, unfortunately it is ALL made in China!
Guess I am back to making my pets food………..Damn!!
Jason Allen
if the article is read carefully it indicates that the manufacturers are using animals that were not gotten from food sources (farms), but are euthanized pets (from vets) being processed as food for our pets.
Patrick S. O'Brien
I’ve fed my dogs Gravy Train dry for years and never have had any problems and my dogs thrive on it. I will continue to do so.
However the problem seems to involve canned dog food (wet dog food) which I do not use. If I did I would be cautious in feeding it to my animals until I see how Smuckers Corp. and the FDA handle this situation
Dont Skip Chemistry
Youre dog wont have any problems. The amount of phentobarbitol in the food is in the microgram range. Nowhere near the threshold for its affects to take place.
Karla Gray
Patrick..It has been found in Milky Bones and other treats also. So it’s not just in canned foods.
Roland
I am not in anyway affiliated with, but know the stringent audits and procedures used by JM Smuckers. They are one of the strictest in quality control and hold anyone affiliated with them to extremely high standards.
Having said that, and being a dog owner, I fully want any issues that may harm ANY pet to be investigated and corrected.
Let’s not jump to conclusions on an entire company based on individual incidents.
Peter
I don’t see any company can “hold anyone affiliated… to extremely high standards” and have no knowledge of this problem. That’s just not believable. And we’d have to do some thinking to decide who to assign the sleaze-factor award to, since Smuckers will pursue the same well-worn Blue Buffalo playbook of “blame the supplier!” I’m getting confused about who uses it more.
Melinda
True! Are they taking the companies word or doing their own audits. Big difference. If not doubt their own rthey can claim ignorance instead of being more responsible for what is in their product.
If they are using horse meat I’m thinking about all the deworming drugs we use ?
Lynn Grooms
Just lost many customers, been busted before for this! Buying euthanized pet carcasses for protein again. I would gladly tell everyone/ spread the word! How u operate a business!!