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<H1><A id=main name=main rel=nofollow></A><FONT size=2>Forwarding this to the DD
for Ellie Foth</FONT></H1>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Suz</FONT></DIV>
<H1><B><FONT size=6 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">FDA
Suspends Temporary Emergency Permit of Pet Food Maker</SPAN></FONT></B></H1>
<P><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">June 12,
2009</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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. <BR><BR>“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.”<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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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