Response From Evangers Food Company

June 14, 2009To All Valued EVANGER'S DOG AND CAT FOOD, INC. Customers,As you are aware, The F.D.A. has taken action against our company. Although there are no recalls, or any allegations of unsafe foods manufactured by Evanger's, we feel that we must respond to this situation with a detailed report.The main reason for the suspension of our permits involves confusion while updating the FILED SCHEDULED PROCESSES as required by F.D.A. rules 21 CFR 108.35(2) and 21 CFR 113.83. To elaborate, these rules dictate that all "STYLES" of food must be studied for adequate heat penetration to achieve "commercial sterility". This procedure usually involves the understanding that heat penetrates different consistencies of product at different rates. For example heat penetrates Evanger's 100% ALL MEAT COOKED CHICKEN at a different rate than Evanger's ALL FRESH VEGETARIAN style formula. Our "Process Authority" (F.D.A. recognized expert) communicated to the F.D.A. that he intended to file a single SCHEDULED PROCESS that would cover ALL loaf style foods that are manufactured at Evanger's using the "MOST RIGOROUS" process (VEGETARIAN). The intention being, that applying this process to all loaf style products would add an additional layer of safety to all other loaf style products. At the same time our process authority indicated that he would "CLEAN UP" our file by deleting older processes.In August of 2008, our process authority completed the update of our file.During a regularly scheduled inspection by the F.D.A we were notified by the inspector that the FILED PROCESSES that we normally use were deleted from our file. Furthermore, the only FILED PROCESS that remained only allowed us to manufacture "VEGETARIAN" foods. To validate this account: we are publishing the actual explanation that was sent to us by the F.D.A. as sighted for the reason for taking action (SEE ATTACHED)[FDA RESPONSE]Your firm's processing authority's response stated it had replaced two older filings with a new filing, Submission Identifier (SID) 2008-03-21/003, to cover all variations of "Loaf Style" pet food produced by Evanger's in the 300 x 400 can size including "Vegetarian Style Loaf". However, documentation on all formula types that your firm intended to include under this filing was not provided. Compliance with 21 CFR 108.35(c)(2) will require your firm to submit a filing for each of the above products, including the ingredients for the various formulations. The additional products that can be called "loafs" using the same process will need their own SID unless they can be included in the existing filing (SID 2008-03-21/003) in which case your processing authority will have to show that these additional products heat the same or faster than the product originally filed as SID 2008-03-21/003 and that the filed minimum scheduled process is sufficient for the safety of all the various product formulations.Your firm failed to submit to FDA, within 30 days after first use, a complete description of the modification made and utilized and a copy of the file record showing prior substantiation by a qualified scientific authority for the following products as required by 21 CFR 108.35(c)(2)(ii):· On 8/12/08, TechniCAL (your contracted process authority) cancelled SID# 1996-03-15/001 and SID# 1977-08-23/001, Loaf Style Dog and Cat Food Ground Meat & Grain Blends in tinplate steel 300 x 405 and 300 x 407 cans, respectively. FDA was not notified of the change from the can size filed to 300 x 400 for Loaf Style Dog and Cat Food Ground Meat & Grain Blends.The management of EVANGER'S is working closely with the F.D.A and our Process Authority to resolve this matter quickly.The issue involves only canned food products.THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR SAFETY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SITUATION. All Evanger's products that are currently on store shelves are safe as they always have been.Evanger's Dog and Cat Food Co., Inc. continues and will continue to manufacture the highest quality, nutritious, wholesome, innovative and safe pet foods and treats as it has done for over 75 years.We hope this response addresses the confusion that has been in the marketplace as of recently. For all additional inquiries, please contact EVANGERS DOG AND CAT FOOD CO., INC. at 1800 288-6796.We thank you for your understanding.Respectfully,Joel SherVice PresidentEVANGERS DOG AND CAT FOOD CO., INC