Friday, June 12, 2009

Evanger's Dog Food - License Suspended by FDA

IMPORTANT! If you or anyone you know feeds Evanger's dog food, the FDA announced today that it is suspending Evanger's license.
Here is the link, although this story may move down on the page as new ones are added.

FDA Suspends Temporary Emergency Permit of Pet Food Maker

June 12, 2009

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today it was suspending the temporary Emergency Permit issued to Evanger's Dog & Cat Food Co., Inc.

Evanger's, operating in Wheeling, Illinois, deviated from the prescribed process, equipment, product shipment, and recordkeeping requirements in the production of the company's thermally processed low acid canned food (LACF) products. The deviations in their processes and documentation could result in under-processed pet foods, which can allow the survival and growth of Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum), a bacterium that causes botulism in some animals as well as in humans.

In April 2008, Evanger’s was issued an “Order of Need for Emergency Permit” after the agency determined that the company had failed to meet the regulatory requirements to process a product that does not present a health risk. In June, 2008, FDA issued Evanger’s a temporary Emergency Permit. During inspections conducted between March 2009 and April 2009, FDA determined Evanger’s was not operating in compliance with the mandatory requirements and conditions of the Temporary Emergency Permit.

“The FDA is stopping Evanger's ability to ship pet food in interstate commerce,” said Dr. Bernadette Dunham. “Today’s enforcement action sends a strong message to manufacturers of pet food that we will take whatever action necessary to keep unsafe products from reaching consumers.”

In order for Evanger's to resume shipping in interstate commerce, the company must document that corrective actions and processing procedures have been implemented to ensure that the finished product will not present a health hazard.

Botulism is a powerful toxin that affects the nervous system and can be fatal. The disease has been documented in dogs and cats. Signs of botulism in animals are progressive muscle paralysis, disturbed vision, difficulty in chewing and swallowing, and progressive weakness to the body. Death is usually due to paralysis of the heart or the muscles used in breathing.

While FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition is responsible for regulating all human and animal LACF processing, FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine has authority over animal feed and foods. The two centers are collaborating on this enforcement action.

Please feel free to share this information!

9 comments:

  1. See this is exactly why I think humans should just feed us whatever they eat!

    Royal Kisses, Sky boy

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  2. I don't think we have Evangers in Australia, just as well!

    Huffle Mawson

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  3. good thing me on home cooked food!

    Cheers,
    Maxx

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  4. I don't know where this information came from but their license has not been suspended. Evanger's complies with FDA standards and it continues to make quality dog food. If there is any concern, please call the FDA or Evanger's directly to make sure you get truthful information, instead of relying on internet speculation.

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  5. To lillypants: this came directly from the FDA web site, so it's not "internet speculation". I have the link to the FDA site at the beginning of the post, but you obviously ignored that.

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  6. I would think Evangers had learned they should concentrate on making a safer food product. Blogging all over the net last year that the FDA notice was wrong only got them a criminal investigation.Check that your canned food isn't made there & if it is switch !

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  7. Evanger's no longer sells in my area. The quality got so bad that pet owners just wouldn't buy it.

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  8. Evanger's is by far, the most irresponsible animal food company in existance. To go so low and to try to dispute the findings of a federal agency is about as pathetic as one can get. There are many of us dog owners who have sick pets thanks to your contaminated food and you will not take any responsiblity for your actions. My pending law suit might help open your eyes.

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  9. this is awful! I am so glad you shared this- mom just bought a couple cans of this for Brock last month to try out. we will be throwing it out for sure!! thank you for posting this!!

    woos,
    Royal

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