Gravy Train Recall History

Every recall, advisory & withdrawal for Gravy Train — tracked daily.

Has Gravy Train ever been recalled?

Yes — 1 recall on record.

Most recent: February 2018 (Withdrawal). Last checked June 13, 2026.

Recall timeline

Withdrawal

Recalled: Gravy Train, Kibbles 'N Bits, Ol' Roy and Skippy Canned Dog Foods

Pentobarbital · Ongoing

Brand overview

Gravy Train Company Overview

Gravy Train dog food is owned by Big Heart Pet Brands / J.M. Smucker Company. It was the first to advertise that mixing its dog food with water created a gravy that dogs couldn’t get enough of.

Big Heart proudly proclaims its belief in integrity, courage and action to make the best choices for pets. Although the tagline on the bag says, "Stir Up a Nourishing Meal," Gravy Train is generally considered to be a very low-quality pet food.

Big Heart Pet Brands, formerly a branch of the Del Monte Pet Products group, was acquired by The J.M. Smucker Company in 2015. Its portfolio of brands includes Meow Mix, Milk-Bone, Kibbles 'n Bits, 9Lives, Natural Balance, Pup-Peroni, Gravy Train, Nature's Recipe, Canine Carry Outs and Milo's Kitchen.

Has There Ever Been a Gravy Train Recall?

There has been a Gravy Train recall, according to our research.

Independent testing in February 2018 by a TV news investigative team reportedly turned up traces of pentobarbital — often used as a euthanasia drug — in samples of Gravy Train. Pentobarbital can be deadly when consumed by dogs or cats. As a result of that investigation, The J.M. Smucker Company announced a recall of various flavors of Gravy Train, Kibbles 'N Bits, Ol' Roy and Skippy canned dog foods.

In this video, Petful publisher Dave Baker discusses the news:

UPDATE: We Now Know What Mystery Meat Was in Tainted Gravy Train

More than 10 years earlier, there was a previous Gravy Train recall, when the brand's Beef Sticks dog snacks were pulled as a precaution during the 2007 melamine contamination. Full details of all Gravy Train recalls appear below.

Gravy Train Recall History

February 2018
Cause: Potential for low levels of pentobarbital. Announcement: Gravy Train website announcement (archived here); company email to Petful dated Feb. 15, 2018 (archived here); and FDA announcement dated Feb. 16, 2018, and updated March 2, 2018 (archived here). What was recalled: The following canned dog foods manufactured from 2016 to Feb. 15, 2018:

  • 13.2 oz. With T-Bone Flavor Chunks, UPC# 7910052541 13.2 oz. With Beef Strips, UPC# 7910052542
  • 13.2 oz. With Lamb and Rice Chunks, UPC# 7910052543 13.2 oz. With Beef Chunks, UPC# 7910034417 22 oz. With Beef Chunks, UPC# 7910051647 13.2 oz. With Chicken Chunks, UPC# 7910034418 22 oz. With Chicken Chunks, UPC# 7910051645 13.2 oz. Chunks in Gravy Stew, UPC# 7910051933
  • 13.2 oz. Chicken, Beef & Liver Medley, UPC# 7910051934
  • 13.2 oz. Chunks in Gravy with Beef Chunks, UPC# 7910034417

March 2007
Cause: Melamine. Announcement: FDA report dated March 31, 2007. What was recalled: Gravy Train Beef Sticks Dog Snacks meeting the following specifications:

  • Production Code TP7B19 and "Best by" Aug. 19, 2008
  • Production Code TP7B20 and "Best by" Aug. 20, 2008
  • Production Code TP7B21 and "Best by" Aug. 21, 2008

Have You Had a Problem With Gravy Train?

  1. See our reporting page for contact info.
  2. Leave a comment below to share your experience with others.

Stay Updated with Pet Food Recall Center: Instant Email Notifications

Subscribe to our 100% free Pet Food Recall Emails to receive timely alerts on pet food recalls. Our service ensures you're immediately informed about important safety notices, sending the latest updates directly to your inbox. Join the Petful community today and stay ahead with our indispensable pet food recall notifications. Look Up Another Brand