Pet-food firm seeks FDA OK to resume shipments

Wheeling, Ill.

-- Evanger's Dog and Cat Food Co. filed a formal request with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking a reinstatement order permitting it to resume interstate shipping of its canned pet-food products.

Earlier this week, the FDA ordered the firm to halt interstate distribution of the products, saying it was not in compliance with some food-processing rules.Deviations in Evanger's processes and documentation of its low-acid canned food products could result in the growth of botulism, according to an earlier FDA media release.

"Our company has been working closely with the FDA and we have already addressed many of their questions," says Joel Sher, Evanger's vice president. "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's cease-distribution order, according to Sher, appears to be based on a misunderstanding regarding paperwork updating Evanger processing protocols as submitted last year. The company is resubmitting the files to clarify the misunderstanding, and on that basis filed the request for reinstatement, as allowed under FDA rules, Sher says.