From our anonymous friend that has provided numerous recall alerts in the past (prior to public notice), I am being told Evanger’s Pet Food will be recalling canned Hunk Of Beef dog food.
The email alerts from ‘anonymous’ have always been brief, always accurate. This notice stated…
Hi Susan, Your friend Anonymous here.
A Washington woman says her 4 pugs became gravely ill after eating Evanger’s “hunk of beef” and another died.
Recall is:
Manufactured June 2016
Lot Number is 1816E06HB13
The information of the sick dogs can be confirmed by clicking here.
It is my assumption that the dog food that will be recalled (possibly) is Evanger’s Hunk of Beef canned dog food.
When more news is learned, it will be posted.
Update 1/4/17: Evangers provided the following comment on Facebook to TruthaboutPetFood.com…
“We have not issued a recall. Our protocol is to use the lot code to track where all the food was distributed, which all have went the pacific NW. We have let our distributor know to quarantine any product with that lot code. We are obtaining records of what stores received the food and give them the option of replacing it with a different batch. And of course any customer with that lot code, we will replace it if they wish.“
Hope
January 3, 2017 at 10:08 pm
I’m not a huge fan of Evangers however as a retail pet supply store they have been very forthcoming on the batch number of Hunk of Beef in question already. There other thing that we were told is that the product was purchased from Chewys.com. There’s as much chance that it’s the food product as it is that it was something else that the 4 pugs became ill with simultaneously. There are no test reports back as yet. There is no doubt that our hearts are totally with the pet parents who lost one of their pugs and have 3 others that are ill. But I bet they want to know for sure what truly caused the tragedy as I/we do.
Rhonda Palmer
January 5, 2017 at 8:21 pm
May I ask why you are not a fan of Evangers? We feed our 3 dogs Evangers dry food with an assortment of homeade foods as well. Just curious if you don’t like their business practice, the quality of their food, etc. We started feeding Evangers based on several recommendations from the rescue group and a local pet store owner who only stocks the ” better quality foods.”
Pet Owner
January 5, 2017 at 11:42 pm
I’m as skeptical as they come. It would be interesting to know more about Evangers too. We had a Rep at Shows who used to sell the product directly. It was very popular. And in the day, I raised one of my dogs (in part) by using the fish/sweet potato recipe (since he was so allergic to chicken).
Anyway (at the time) it was the only canned dog food that I’d seen with actual “hunks” (or chunks) of whole beef, or chicken (and later on salmon). I always thought that the meat was pressure cooked (as we used to fix our own meals) and so that it couldn’t be as “questionable” a protein source as pate or mushed up formats. So I am VERY interested in the outcome of this investigation. Somebody has got to figure out what really happened, and how!
Joseph Gallo
February 11, 2017 at 11:00 am
I have completely given up on big pet food brands. I will only feed human-grade food. I used to buy home-made food from my local holistic pet store. Recently I came across The Farmer’s Dog, my dogs are loving it and its all custom made and pre-portioned which makes it much easier than cooking myself.
Leanne S.
January 4, 2017 at 12:49 am
I do my best every single day to convince people not to feed pet food to their animals. Even commercial raw pet foods will soon fall prey to the same corruption and pursuit of profits that have resulted in garbage being peddled to pet owners with the approval and encouragement of authorities. If you can’t afford to feed real food, get smaller pets, so you can.
Maya
January 4, 2017 at 6:55 pm
Um, and is there a suggestion you might have for those with larger pets, or those who have lost jobs? Please don’t make assumptions that people can just switch up their pets or their lives. Honestly.
Pacific Sun
January 4, 2017 at 8:40 pm
Do you think there’s a correlation between manufacturers selling bargain basement priced PF and the risk it poses as a product?
KRista
January 4, 2017 at 11:51 pm
Yes, that was a mildly obnoxious comment. And NO not all raw dog companies will result in a crap product. I want everyone to feed raw, but in many cases its just not possible. Its my job as an animal advocate and a raw dog food company owner to help people with dog nutrition and work with what we have, not suggest to trade in the dog for a smaller model. SMH
Reader
January 5, 2017 at 2:30 am
My suggestion (meant with good intention) would be to at least share some whole food. I can’t speak to cat nutrition. But most dogs can tolerate (for example) steamed veggies, brown rice, sweet potato, canned tuna, salmon chicken, and eggs. I know the owner of a pet supply store, who never fed any of their store’s products (and this was 15 years ago!). But shared a portion of their human meals (many based on mild Mexican recipes) and the dogs were beautiful, healthy, and energetic! Few of us ever have enough “disposable” income for non-essentials, and perhaps never will. But it’s about priorities, a little sacrifice, and extra effort. Watching how excited my dog gets over real food, makes it worthwhile!
Diana Daffin
January 6, 2017 at 4:54 pm
People food is far better than a processed kibble–but beware! food needs to be balanced, so anyone suggesting so strongly that people food is the answer–please go on to say it should be balanced. It doesn’t take long for a pet to become nutritionally deficient. And so many people feed pets the way humans should eat, but dogs & cats are carnivores; dogs need at least 60% meat and cats 80%.
Reader
January 6, 2017 at 5:10 pm
Yes, I did say “a portion of” … so such a whole food diet should be augmented with a product like THK, or a balanced raw PF, or a vitamin/mineral complex designed for canines. I’ve used Becker’s extremely easy whole food recipe (once posted here on TAPF) as a guide.
However cat diets (and nutritional requirements) are completely foreign to me.
Debbie D
January 4, 2017 at 2:42 am
Here is the news story: http://katu.com/news/local/3-dogs-get-sick-and-1-dies-after-eating-canned-dog-food
Pacific Sun
January 4, 2017 at 3:30 am
I clicked on the link. Just a devastating News Report, completely heartbreaking, with so much sadness being expressed for the Owner. Since the article states: “A necropsy is under way for Talula” will those results be shared here? A relationship between irresponsible Plant maintenance, the effect on product, and the safety of our pets must be established.
Stacie
January 4, 2017 at 9:50 am
I own a pet supply store and sell Evangers. The company is doing everything possible to reach out to this family and I have been extremely impressed with how they are handling this. Instead of denials, they have taken the report at face value and paid the vet bills. The store that sold the food (local store, not Chewy,com as originally reported) is cooperating and provided cans from the same lot for testing. ALL food of this lot went to one distributor and was sold only in the Northwest. Hunk of Beef is Evangers #1 seller and most of that lot has been sold through and many stores are on to October and November lots. There have been no other reports of illness, which I personally find strange given the 15 minute onset of severe, life threatening illness.
In all fairness, I think there is cause to hold off blaming the company until the owners choose to share the lab results and the testing on the food is done. Correlation is not necessarily causation.
Audree
January 4, 2017 at 2:22 pm
Great response Stacie. Thanks for looking at the issue in its’ entirety.
sdrower
January 10, 2017 at 9:34 am
I just wandered into this site by accident and was caught by this article.
On New Years Day my year-old 50# setter-blend (Blue Picardy) took one bite of his breakfast that included some of this food, and refused to eat. A couple of hours later he was in severe gastric distress, and we ended up in the emergency room. Fortunately he is fine, we tossed the can out on a hunch. But it’s another data point. And we’re in Portland, OR.
Reader
January 10, 2017 at 1:48 pm
When your pet is in an emergency status, the only thing an Owner can think about, is treatment and recovery! I get that. And, am so thankful that your Setter-Blend recovered.
But I see this kind of comment frequently. And because people are surfing the internet, sometimes a comment comes in quite a bit after the fact. (Fortunately not in this case however). At least you’ve established this alert here, and thank you for taking the time to make it. But I worry that people might still have these cans around. People buy by the case, and they rotate products and recipes So what a tragedy to be using this can too far down the line from the initial warning and discussion.
Whenever any food is suspected regarding an illness, err on the side of caution. Don’t throw anything out! (Always keep the bag of kibble around even if it’s dumped into a container). That stamped Lot No. (date, batch) is CRITICAL to tracking down a problem and saving other pets! The residue (contents) can be evidence in terms of understanding the problem. And the FDA needs to co-ordinate all issues, both as feedback for the manufacturer and to continue isolating distribution issues.
If you have time, and the resources, report your experience to the FDA. It does need to be “another data point” on file.
And I hope there is going to be follow up on this story. If it’s directly the food, then it needs to be really clear WHY this happened.
sdrower
January 10, 2017 at 7:12 pm
You’re right – after I threw it out I realized that was stupid. Fortunately I had another can (purchased at the same time so perhaps from the same lot) and I just had a chat with the pet store owner where I got it. I’ll be taking it back to them so they can sent it back to Evangers.
Apparently they (Evangers) are really trying to get as much back (and tested) as they can.
Susan Thixton
January 10, 2017 at 7:42 pm
It is significantly important for the pet food to be tested by FDA or a outside third party. If the pet food manufacturer controls all samples, there is a chance we will never know the results.
Reader
January 10, 2017 at 11:37 pm
Yes, a can like that absolutely needs independent testing! Ultimately it would be service both to the Company and other Pet Owners. Until this is resolved too much doubt will linger around Evangers.
lisa walters
January 24, 2017 at 7:12 pm
The FDA wants anyone with experiences like this to report it. Please give them a call. Phone # for Washington/Oregon FDA
800-353-3965 (toll free)
Here are also some links to file reports.
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/ReportaProblem/ucm182403.htm
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ConsumerComplaintCoordinators/default.htm
https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov/fpsr/WorkflowLoginIO.aspx?metinstance=14E271DC315A5D630BD676706E644DBC386980D7
Sarah
February 10, 2017 at 9:20 pm
Hi. I’m a pet owner who feeds their dog (80 pound Boxer named Mason) Hunk of Beef. Mason had an extreme reaction to something Dec 5 and spent 4.5 days in the emergency vet. He did not walk for 1.5 days. Michigan received one of these 5 voluntary lots. I’m told by Evanger’s (Chelsea) it was received at the distributor on October 27. It then made it to our pet store and then to us. After $9k in vet bills I’m trying to work with Evangers. I sent a video showing how Mason lost all muscle control and collapsed. We did not know what it was until this article came out this week. (All his vet test (MRI, spinal tab, blood work, etc) came back normal. It stumped the 3 vets caring for him.
Pet Owner
February 10, 2017 at 11:31 pm
With due respect to a pet owner appreciating compensation from the manufacturer of a recalled PF, why wouldn’t such a seriously unexpected, and unexplained illness also be reported to the FDA? The FDA is trying to coordinate all evidence (information) received, to post the case. This is a reminder once again, NOT to return tainted (suspected) product back to the retailer or the manufacturer! Your case in fact will be MUCH stronger (in terms of compensation) by going through a third party for research and results! And with that information provided to Vets, may also help with the next diagnosis of a sick pet with “unexplained” symptoms.
You didn’t have to make your post here, which is recognized, and very much appreciated. Thank you for that! Please know, such comments are necessary to continue helping other Readers. I hope your companion is recovering well.
Sarah
February 11, 2017 at 10:45 am
Thank you for the response. My vet and I didn’t connect the dots on the food until I saw the recall this Monday. As of yesterday I have submitted our information the FDA. Kind Regards-
Susan Thixton
February 11, 2017 at 10:53 am
Hi Sarah –
I wanted to tell you if you have any questions in dealing with FDA on this issue – please feel free to contact me (contact form on the site). I’ll try to help.
lisa
January 25, 2017 at 9:37 am
Nikki (pug dog family) would like everyone to know this. The FDA has asked that anyone who has fed their dog this product and their dog had adverse reactions, to please file a report with them ASAP. We don’t want anymore pets getting sick so please do this for the sake of other dogs and dog families. This is an URGENT matter and the FDA is very concerned. Please share. Thank you
Reader
January 25, 2017 at 2:28 pm
I know an Agency/FDA can’t comment on an ongoing investigation. But I really hope when a decision is made, that you’ll report back to this website. Can’t count the number of times we hear about a PF making a dog sick, and then the outcome just fades into history.
Please commit that you will follow-up, ….please.
Lisa
January 25, 2017 at 4:22 pm
Yes. As soon as I can I will. 🙂
Sarah
February 10, 2017 at 9:23 pm
HI Lisa. I just submitted a report. We have a 80 pound boxer who had an adverse reaction in December. He lost all control and collapsed. Unresponsive for 1.5 days. $9k later he survived. Now we think we know what happened. He ate a can of hunk of beef everyday. One of these lots made it to Michigan. Evanger’s confirmed this.
lisa
January 26, 2017 at 8:24 pm
Pentobarbital has been found in Talula’s body, in the food that she was fed, her stomach contents and food tested from the can. The can was also tested separately and is positive for the toxin. If you have this food DO NOT feed it to your dogs. Thank you. Nikki
Piortland Oryloff
February 3, 2017 at 5:57 pm
Someone who rarely shops at my store called me today and when I would not comment further than the actions the company has taken she decided to take issue with my “agenda” against pets to not remove the Evanger’s brand from my store. I have not once sold a single item that has poisoned a pet or otherwise would be considered compromised in thirteen years. I have not seen a single bit of science to confirm these pets were harmed by this product, but that is not good enough for her. Just a mild warning to pet shops that some people are coming unglued because they think we are cynical shills.
Piortland Oryloff
February 3, 2017 at 5:58 pm
I welcome any documentation to tell me otherwise I am wrong. Thank you!
Curly
February 3, 2017 at 6:51 pm
I received an email from the FDA today with the following information:
“Out of an abundance of caution, Evanger’s Dog & Cat Food of Wheeling, IL is voluntarily recalling specific lots of its Hunk of Beef product because of a potential contaminant Pentobarbital, which was detected in one lot of Hunk of Beef Au Jus. Pentobarbital can affect animals that ingest it, and possibly cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, loss of balance, or nausea, or in extreme cases, possibly death.”
“Although pentobarbital was detected in a single lot, Evangers is voluntarily recalling Hunk of Beef products that were manufactured the same week, with lot numbers that start with 1816E03HB, 1816E04HB, 1816E06HB, 1816E07HB, and 1816E13HB, and have an expiration date of June 2020. The second half of the barcode reads 20109, which can be found on the back of the product label.”
clare thompson
February 6, 2017 at 6:51 pm
I just heard on the radio that Evangers pet food was being recalled because the drug in Euthanasia was found in it does that mean the put dogs and cats in it, you wouldn’t use Euthanasia in a slaughter house, would you?
Dave Balkwill
February 6, 2017 at 11:09 pm
Not sure if I’m being paranoid but I find dogs more trustworthy than humans. If a disgruntled employee wanted to embarrass a company (Evanger or they’re beef distributor) they could add a vial to a tank. I have two large dogs (Pyrenees mix and Lab mix) and I supplement them with 1/4 can of Evangers canned lamb and rice per day, so I really have no vested interest in this. I would encourage Evangers to go full bore with this investigation, and If would encourage you people to hold them accountable.
Eddie
February 7, 2017 at 1:32 am
After the SUDDEN death of my BELOVED Siberian Husky on 1/31/17, I am now wondering if this ‘supplier’ has supplied to any other dog food/treat manufactures?? So help me I sure as hell hope not. Thanking anyone & all now who might have any related info on supplier or such. R.I.P. Bandit Roo, I love & miss you dearly….
Eddie
February 7, 2017 at 1:43 am
For what it’s worth I too am from WA. state.
CD
February 14, 2017 at 2:53 pm
More about Evanger’s -> http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2017/02/deadly-barbiturates-preceded-by-9-years-of-pet-food-problems/ and http://www.poisonedpets.com/owner-of-evangers-dog-cat-food-co-busted-for-trying-to-bribe-a-witness/