“Our company has been working closely with the FDA and we have already . . . → Read More: Evanger addresses FDA action]]> In response to the recent Food and Drug Administration action, Evanger’s Dog and Cat Food Co., Inc. has filed a formal request, as allowed by FDA regulations, for reinstatement based on documentation that the company is operating in full compliance with mandatory requirements.

“Our company has been working closely with the FDA and we have already addressed many of their questions,” says Joel Sher, Vice President of Evanger’s. “No Evanger’s product has been recalled, nor is there any indication that Evanger’s products are unsafe or contaminated in any way. Only our canned products have been affected by this action and, again, the FDA has not issued a recall as some blogs have incorrectly stated.”

The FDA action appears to be based on a misunderstanding regarding paperwork updating the company’s processing protocols that was submitted last year. Joel comments, “Our FDA consultants are in the process of re-submitting these files. The safety and quality of all Evanger’s products is our number one concern and we are working closely with FDA to ensure that all record keeping and processes have met, and will continue to meet their strict guidelines.”

“As our customers, retailers and distributors know, Evanger’s takes the quality and safety of its pet foods very seriously,” says Holly Sher, President of Evanger’s. “Evanger’s has a long history of using the finest human grade ingredients prepared under strict manufacturing procedures. We have been producing safe, wholesome and natural products for over 75 years and continue to feed them daily to our own pets.”

Source
Evanger’s Dog & Cat Food Company, Inc

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 . . . → Read More: FDA suspends temporary emergency permit to Evangers]]> 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.

     

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Issued by: FDA, Center for Veterinary Medicine