Washington

Dog Food Withdrawn Over Concerns About Euthanasia Drug

J.M. Smucker Co. is investigating how the euthanasia drug pentobarbital got into its supply chain

The J.M. Smucker Co. is withdrawing some shipments of dog food after it learned that it could be tainted with traces of a drug used to euthanize animals.

The company said Thursday it is pulling back shipments of several varieties of wet canned Gravy Train, Kibble 'N Bits, Skippy and Ol' Roy brands. It said it is investigating how the euthanasia drug pentobarbital got into its supply chain and is focusing on a single supplier of a minor ingredient used at one manufacturing facility.

The FDA said it found that there are low levels of the drug, which aren't likely to harm pets. But it also noted that "pentobarbital should never be present in pet food and products containing any amount of pentobarbital are considered to be adulterated."

Smucker cited experts noting that the low levels of the drug cited in the report do not pose a threat to pets.

"However, the presence of this substance at any level is not acceptable to us and not up to our quality standards," said the company, which is based in Orrville, Ohio. It said it does not use meat from euthanized animals in its pet food.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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