Against The Grain Dog Food Recall: Euthanasia Sedative Contamination Possible For Affected Product

Against the Grain Pet Food voluntarily recalled one of its products Tuesday for a possible contamination with a barbituate that's used to euthanize animals. The move to pull the product — "the Grain Pulled Beef with Gravy Dinner for Dog" — was made out of an "abundance of caution," according to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcement.

The recall is for a possible contamination with the barbituate pentobarbital. "Oral exposure to pentobarbital can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, loss of balance, nausea nystagmus (eyes moving back and forth in a jerky manner), inability to stand and coma," according to the FDA announcement. Pentobarbital, a sedative, is often used to euthanize animals and is considered the most humane option by the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

There's yet to be a complaint against the company because of the possible contamination. But the issue for Against the Grain Pet Food follows another recent dog food recall for the barbiturate pentobarbital involving Evanger's branded food, according to Food Safety News. The same family owns both companies. Evanger's is owned by Holly and Joel Sher, while daughter Chelsea Sher is listed as vice president, Food Safety News pointed out. Chelsea has been described as co-founder of Against the Grain and is listed on the trademark for the name of the company.

The announcement noted that the possibly affected batch of food was distributed in 2015. "This one lot of product was distributed to independent pet retail stores in Washington and Maryland, though it has been verified that this lot is no longer on any store shelves," the announcement reads. "This voluntary recall only affects one specific lot of food."

The products affected by the recall have an expiration date of December 2019, a lot number that reads 2415E01ATB12 and the second half of the UPC code reads 80001. Affected consumers can return their food at the place of purchase and have it replaced with a case of Against the Grain food. Customers can also call the company with any questions at 1-800-288-6796.