Evangers Pet Food Recall - Poor Business Ethics Or Just Forgot The Truth?
80
Ask Susan Peters Other Sites Of Interest:
Cat Food Review - Cat Food Ratings
Cat Treat and Snack Review
Cat Food Recall List
Cat Food Safe To Feed After The Cat Food Recall
Free Online Pet Food Recall Information - Buyers Guide - Understanding the Pet Food recall and why cats and dogs continue to get sick and die - written by Susan Peters
Dog Food Review
Dog Treat and Snack Review and Dog Food Ratings
Dog Food Recall List
Dog Food Safe To Feed After The Dog Food Recall
Class Action Lawsuit
Settlement - Pet Food Companies Barking and Biting
Evangers Pet Foods VS FDA - Who Do You Believe?
The FDA has posted a consumer alert on April 24, 2008 warning consumers that Evanger's Dog and Cat Food company is producing under-processed pet food which can cause botulism. The FDA states on the FDA website that Evanger's can not distribute their pet food products until changes are made and special permits are obtained by the company. Evanger's website states the FDA made an error and Evanger's is having no problems and continues to produce and distribute the Evanger's pet food and will not be conducting a pet food recall.
Oh, Evanger's, what kind of a mess have you gotten yourself into? First off, the FDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has told you that you are so far out of compliance that your company can not continue to operate and produce the pet foods under the current operation practices for your company. The FDA, which does not regulate the pet food industry, has stepped in to stop production of your products because your products have been shown to be dangerous to the people who feed the pet food to their pets. The FDA has not posted any retractions to their press releases or their consumer alerts nor have they given you, Evanger's pet food, an all clear.
The FDA states,
"As outlined in the Food Protection Plan, the FDA uses a risk-based approach to locate the areas of greatest risk for foods, and targets preventive controls and inspections to those areas, " said Dr. Stephen Sundlof, director, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. "The FDA's authority to issue an order requiring an emergency permit is an enforcement tool designed to prevent unsafe foods from reaching consumers."
The FDA issues an "Order of Need for Emergency Permit" if the agency determines that a company fails to meet the regulatory requirements to process a product that does not present a health risk. For Evanger's to resume business, 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."
Also involved in the effort to protect man and beast is CFSAN. CFSAN is responsible for regulating all human and animal LACF processing. Looks to me like big trouble if these two regulatory bodies are involved, not a simple error on the part of the FDA as Evanger's would like for us to believe.
Here is what the FDA has found against the Evanger's company.
A recent inspection revealed significant deviations from prescribed documentation of processes, equipment, and recordkeeping in the production of the company's thermally processed low acid canned food (LACF) products. These problems 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.
Now, let's take a look at what Evanger's website has to say in the press release given from the Evanger's company.
"Contrary to a news release issued by the FDA Thursday, April 24, 2008, Evanger's continues to make and distribute its products with FDA approval. Evanger's is working closely with the FDA and already has addressed many of the FDA's questions. Evanger's expects to have the few remaining FDA queries fully satisfied shortly."
Evanger's futher states:
"No Evanger's product has been recalled, nor is there any indication that any Evanger's product is under-processed, unsafe, or contaminated in any way."
Who is the liar in this matter? Evanger's, are you trying to kill pets and people? You know your products are below the standard set by the federal government but you go right on with business as usual? How long has Evanger's business ethics been so low? Does Evanger's want us to believe the United States FDA is the liar? Evanger's press release is saying the FDA is telling a lie and Evanger's continues to do wrong even though the FDA said Evanger's must stop.
Shame on you Evanger's. How stupid do you think the public is? We love our pets and we value our own lives. Do you really think we want you to continue to decieve the public, gobble up our hard earned money, ignore consumer alerts issued from the FDA, and conduct business as usual? I won't be buying any Evanger's products.
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
Sally,
I hope you are correct that all is well on the Evanger's home front. For some reason Evanger's isn't telling who manufactures their products or what other products they manufacture. Shouldn't Evanger's be proud of the products they produce? I have heard rumor that Canidae and others are part of their production but I have been unable to verify this information.
Susan
Hi Susan,
Evanger's website contains most of the information you are looking for.
http://www.evangersdogfood.com/
In addition, the April 25 press release states: All ingredients in Evanger’s products are sourced in the United States and all manufacturing is done in its suburban Chicago facility.
Hope that helps!
Best regards, ST.
One more thing you might find interesting. Evanger's produces Kosher foods. The definition of Kosher (from purelinatural.com) is: Kosher is a term used to describe something that is right, proper, or fit. Food that is certified Kosher is guaranteed to be of a high quality, and often surpasses the quality standards of the Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada.
Sally,
I enjoy Kosher foods, myself. I have been very excited to explore Evanger's Kosher products until I learned the news about Evanger's face off with the FDA. From the sounds of things Evanger's can't even meet FDA standards let alone surpass them.
Susan
On April 28th, the FDA provided a consumer with additional information:
The firm had serious deviations form the mandatory provisions of 21 CFR parts 108 and 113, including lack of documentation of process adequacy and lack of processing filing with FDA for most of their processes. The firm was operating the retorts improperly (not venting), failing to record critical process information including initial temperatures, temperature recording devices were recording temperatures higher than the mercury-in glass thermometers. The firm's retort supervisors had not attended the required training schools. As correctly stated in the press release, the firm is operating under an Order of Need for Emergency Permit, which means it cannot introduce or deliver for introduction in interstate commerce any of its low--acid canned pet food. The regulation does allow the firm to have a processing authority evaluate the processing of each lot for adequacy and to submit release requests in writing to FDA for specific lots.
In Evanger's first release they mentioned TechniCal as the 3rd party. Apparently it is due to their involvement that any product is being released.
Evanger and their SpinDoctors need to understand this is not the time to downplay bent, damaged cans and the rust issue they've had
I think it would be good for folks to review the Food Safety recommendations about dents & rust on cans in LACF pet foods.Here's a simple sheet to review it:http://www.foodlinkny.org/pdf/Nutrition_pdf/Can_sa Cans With:Dent on SeamDent Where Side and End MeetSharp DentSwelling or Bulging**Rust That Does Not Wipe Off**If in doubt, throw it out..
Offy,
My hero! Thank you for the additional information.
Susan
Offy,
I'm sorry to report I could not get the link to work. Could you check on this for me?
Susan
Here's the corrected link - please, please remind folks to check their cans. If the rust will not wipe off, throw it out! I've read a few reports of the Evangers cans and the can condition being downplayed long before the FDA release.
http://www.foodlinkny.org/pdf/Nutrition_pdf/Can_sa
Susan,
The hero is Sandi K who was reading the posts by one of the many Evanger advocates posting their spin on forums. This information is from the Itchmo forum. Since the advocate posts contradicted and conflicted the FDA release, she contacted the FDA. The additional information is what she obtained.
Sandi responded to Mr. Sher on PetSit blog at:
http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=1125#comment-140727
She's my hero :)
Apparently, however, if you carefully read the press release, it's basically saying that because Evangers didn't have some records and paperwork filled out properly, the FDA can't guarantee that their foods are safe. This doesn't mean they found botulism or saw any unsafe practices or even that they physically examined any product. It just means that their paperwork wasn't in order. There's no recall and apparently not even a followup investigation of the product that one would expect if there were a genuine problem that was detected.
Admittedly, one would hope for a food company to have all their "i's" dotted and their "t's" crossed, but I don't think this ranks as one of the most shocking pet food bloopers out there.
Offy,
Glad to have you on our team to help pass along this valuable information. Thank you so much for the corrected link.
Susan
Mike I appreciate your viewpoint.
The FDA was contacted by a consumer and this is supplemental information. It apparently is more than paperwork. There were other issues. In fact, the Evanger's posts & releases state "other issues".
Processing is not paperwork. It is how you produce it. Not venting the retorts is not paperwork, it is the actual process. Temperatures different on 2 devices - is not paperwork.
Quote from FDA :
The firm had serious deviations form the mandatory provisions of 21 CFR parts 108 and 113, including lack of documentation of process adequacy and lack of processing filing with FDA for most of their processes. The firm was operating the retorts improperly (not venting), failing to record critical process information including initial temperatures, temperature recording devices were recording temperatures higher than the mercury-in glass thermometers. The firm's retort supervisors had not attended the required training schools. As correctly stated in the press release, the firm is operating under an Order of Need for Emergency Permit, which means it cannot introduce or deliver for introduction in interstate commerce any of its low--acid canned pet food. The regulation does allow the firm to have a processing authority evaluate the processing of each lot for adequacy and to submit release requests in writing to FDA for specific lots.
End Quote
Well said, Offy.
Susan
FWIW--Polly Wants a Cracker:http://hubpages.com/hub/Evangers-Pet-Food-Recall-G Morgan says: 2 weeks ago"Apparently, however, if you carefully read the press release, it's basically saying that because Evangers didn't have some records and paperwork filled out properly, the FDA can't guarantee that their foods are safe. This doesn't mean they found botulism or saw any unsafe practices or even that they physically examined any product. It just means that their paperwork wasn't in order. There's no recall and apparently not even a followup investigation of the product that one would expect if there were a genuine problem that was detected."Admittedly, one would hope for a food company to have all their "i's" dotted and their "t's" crossed, but I don't think this ranks as one of the most shocking pet food bloopers out there."http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=1125#comment-144013Qu Morgan said, May 5, 2008 @ 4:20 pm "Apparently, however, if you carefully read the press release, it’s basically saying that because Evangers didn’t have some records and paperwork filled out properly, the FDA can’t guarantee that their foods are safe. This doesn’t mean they found botulism or saw any unsafe practices or even that they physically examined any product. It just means that their paperwork wasn’t in order. There’s no recall and apparently not even a followup investigation of the product that one would expect if there were a genuine problem that was detected."Admittedly, one would hope for a food company to have all their “i’s” dotted and their “t’s” crossed, but I don’t think this ranks as one of the most shocking pet food bloopers out there."So who has done their research. As a college student, I feel that I am good at this. I have came to the conclusion that the FDA has acted in an irresponsible manner, like they have done in the past, at Evanger’s expense." http://community.dog.com/forums/p/78659/615360.asp says 04-29-2008 2:02 PM in reply to Pom Mommy"Your dogs should be fine. Botulism hits very fast and hard - you'd know by know if your dog had it. It doesn't hang around in the system, either, so stopping feeding is the best solution if you are concerned."Apparently, however, if you carefully read the press release, it's basically saying that because Evangers didn't have some records and paperwork filled out properly, the FDA can't guarantee that their foods are safe. This doesn't mean they found botulism or saw any unsafe practices or even that they physically examined any product. It just means that their paperwork wasn't in order. There's no recall and apparently not even a followup investigation of the product that one would expect if there were a genuine problem that was detected."Admittedly, one would hope for a food company to have all their "i's" dotted and their "t's" crossed, but I don't think this ranks as one of the most shocking pet food bloopers out there."You can read Evanger's own response here:http://www.dogfoodproject.com/ http://community.dog.com/forums/p/78659/615360.asp says 04-29-2008 2:42 PM in reply to brookcove:"I feed Evanger's. Odie often chases his meal with a turd from the cat's litter box. I am not terribly concerned."http://community.dog.com/forums/p/78659/615360.asp Evanger says 05-05-2008 5:11 PM in reply to probe1957:"Finally, someone who knows what they are talking about."Apparently, however, if you carefully read the press release, it's basically saying that because Evangers didn't have some records and paperwork filled out properly, the FDA can't guarantee that their foods are safe. This doesn't mean they found botulism or saw any unsafe practices or even that they physically examined any product. It just means that their paperwork wasn't in order. There's no recall and apparently not even a followup investigation of the product that one would expect if there were a genuine problem that was detected."Admittedly, one would hope for a food company to have all their "i's" dotted and their "t's" crossed, but I don't think this ranks as one of the most shocking pet food bloopers out there.""There you go. Evanger's is still the best."The poster calling himself/herself Evanger joined the board referenced above on 4-26-2008; he/she made another post:http://community.dog.com/forums/p/78915/618104.asp says 05-05-2008 5:08 PM in reply to PomMommy:"No need to worry about Evanger's dog food. I looked deep into this issue and found out that this is all due to not them keeping the best records. This has nothing to do with the quality of their food since at no point did they ever have to stop production and the FDA will not be doing a follow up inspection. Just letting you know that Evanger's is still the best dog food on the market."The company may want to look into these message boards to try to discover who may be using their name without permission.
Does Miss Susan find any food good enough for our pets? This is beginning to really annoy me. I don't know what the heck to feed. How is Susan a profesional at judging food anyhow?
Oh great I just got a small can of the 100% duck the other day and mixed it in with my dog's food. So far he seems ok but after reading this I'm nervous now. I just came on here to check it out. I assumed after reading the ingredients (which is the shortest ingredient list I've ever seen) that it was ok.
Hi Everyone,
I just got an 8 wk old chihuahua last weekend and decided to change her food from puppy chow to something better. I'd been researching and decided to get Innova dry food for her. I went into the pet store today and the lady convince me that Evanger's dry food. She said it is better than Innova's so I bought it. I mixed it with my puppy's puppy chow and she liked it fine but I decided to research Evanger's since I never once came across it when I was researching food for my puppy. I am quiet concerned now after coming across what the FDA is saying about Evanger's. I think it is mainly the canned foods but if they can not pass the requirements for the canned food it makes me question if they are doing the same thing with the dry foods. I'm very dissappointed in the sells lady. Surely she's heard of this. I'm worried about what I'm feeding my puppy. What should I do?
Amy,
I myself have been feeding Innova dry for over two years to my great dane, Sam. I tried ALL the natural dry foods before settling on Innova and have found it works best for him. Other dry foods were too high in protein and would constantly upset his stomach (check the ratio of the protein and fat content on the bag). I cannot say better things about Innova; it is a complete, natural food and everyone I know that has tried it says the same. I also love that the different stages they carry (i.e. large breed puppy to large breed adult) are made from the same ingredients, which makes for an easy transition.
On another note, I was supplementing with the Evanger's beef until recently for all 4 of my guys and am finally researching other options after opening SEVERAL cans that had diseased meat. YUK! Go with your gut, but I am so over Evanger's and their below-grade, overpriced food!
Mr,schwiter&Mr,Buer,Can not be happy with what Joel n Holly Sher have done with the company name or to the petfood industry.
If your pet enjoys wet or dry evangers petfood it is localy sourced, The only local sourc is chicken. Local food saftey issues Wheeling IL.60090. What happen to100% game meats? Show the bill of ladsings Joel or Holly. Show them for the past 6 years V"s the past 6 years sales/We can .The FDA /USDA/ needs the info. please help to help the pets.847-561-3961
I didn't know anything negative or otherwise about Evangers until I did some research AFTER I found HUGE nut off a piece of equipment in a can of Evangers Organic Turkey with Potatoes & Carrots Dinner. If a small breed puppy had eaten this it could possibly have been fatal. I wrote a certified letter to the CEO of Evangers and copied the FDA. Obviously I will NEVER buy another Evangers product again. What ever happened to quality control??!! This could have been a disaster for our puppy if i hadn't seen it coming out of the can.
I've tried many alleged "premium" brands, and am ready to give up - one by one, they've had recalls, switched formulas, switched to suspect suppliers, or switched to packers who'd been involved in recalls.
But my Evanger's episode really took the cake for drama. Couple of months ago, a new can blew up when I started to open it - a big, unnerving mess. Later I found hard stuff two other cans, as if gobs of ingredients hadn't been mixed in. (If this stuff really is "hand-packed," I don't know how any "hand-packer" could possibly miss it - it looked like finger-sized chunks of plaster sticking up from the food!)
Dog-food buying is starting to look lkike Russain Roulette - and I don't have time to create home-cooked dog food or raw diets.
All this about Evanger's - how bad it is....and I see that they rate 10/10?!?!?!?!?!
Can someone please explain this to me?
mrs peters needs to be sued
I had trouble with the Evangers dry dog food and was just contacted by the OCI[office of criminal investigation for the FDA ].They are very interested in hearing from anyone who has had a problem with any food Evangers makes. Apparently their reinspectaions after the special order didn't go very well,so if you are feeding it it might be time to reconsider. Please contact the FDA with any complaints you have had about their foods.
I thought I was doing my homework and was pleased to see that on "several" cans of Evanger's cat food Mrs. Peters gave them a 10 our of 10. Then I read this.....what am I to believe or trust?????
Yes the person who made this site is very smart. I know someone who works their. They are almost all Illegals. Their have been pet that have died. The FDA is still looking into them. Their have been a lot of people calling about plactic bones ect in their cans of food.Please call the FDA. Our pet should be safe.
seriously why would they put plastic bones in the food. you can run a business when your consumer dies. when a company has been around for 75 years, i think its safe to say that the consumer is alive and well. thats just me
Plastic Bones! HA! Brad - well said. I don't think using plastic bones would do anybody any good.
I'm on Evangers' side, and so are my 6-year-old Siberians who came home using Evanger's!!!!!!
My dogs (I have 8) They love evangers dog food.But did you knoe they had a 2009 recall in july? Well they did!
Sally's Trove says:
2 years ago
Susan, let me see if I understand this issue. The FDA found problems in documentation of processes, equipment, and recordkeeping. It did not find under-processed or contaminated food. Clearly, failing to meet regulatory requirements for documentation is a serious infraction, but it doesn't mean that any food was found to be under-processed or contaminated, only that there is a risk of contamination because there is insufficient documentation to prove that processes, equipment, and recordkeeping are in compliance. Thus the Order of Need for Emergency Permit.
It seems that Evanger's failed miserably in complying with regulatory documentation requirements and then compounded the problem with a press release that gives the impression that they are not going to comply with the FDA's order.
Still, these poor communications practices on Evanger's part don't necessarily mean that any food is contaminated. What these practices mean is that Evanger's needs a top-notch communications manager to make sure that documentation meets requirements and that press releases like the one Evanger's issued on April 25 never happen again.
Thanks for bringing the Evanger's situation to our attention.