http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/.../ucm166265.htm
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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.