US pet foods company recalls dog food over presence of pentobarbital

US pet foods company Evanger's is voluntarily recalling some of its dog food after it was found to contain a drug used to anaesthetise or put down pets.

One lot of the dog food was found to contain pentobarbital, which resulted in five dogs getting sick with one dying, according to the Wheeling, Illinois-based company.

The Hunk of Beef Au Jus recall had affected 15 states. The 12-ounce cans were manufactured between 6  and 13 June and sold in stores and online in Washington, California, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

In a precautionary measure, Evanger's was recalling Hunk of Beef products manufactured the same week, which had a June 2020 expiry date. 

According to the company all Evanger's suppiers of meat products were USDA approved.

"We feel that we have been let down by our supplier, and in reference to the possible presence of pentobarbital, we have let down our customers," the company said in a press release on its website, adding that it's the first recall in 82 years of manufacturing.

Evanger's said it had terminated its relationship with that supplier after 40 years, though that company serviced "many other pet food companies."

According to the Food and Drug Administration, Pentobarbital could cause a number of side effects for animals that ingested it including drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, loss of balance, nausea and death.

The company is continuing investigations into how the contaminant made its way into their supply of beef.

In an update on the situation, posted to the company's website, Evanger's said the company felt it had been let down by its own supplier.