Evanger's Pet Food Recall Expanded Over Euthanasia Drug Contamination

BELLEVUE, WA - More varieties of Evanger's Dog and Cat food are being recalled. Last month, the brand recalled "Hunk of Beef Au Jus" dog food over possible pentobarbital contamination. That drug is used to euthanize dogs and cats, and can cause coma, death, and illness.

On Friday, the company announced that it had expanded the recall to include Evanger’s Braised Beef and Against the Grain’s Pulled Beef foods due to concerns those varieties also contain pentobarbital. The products have been sold in 15 states, including Washington.

"Out of an abundance of caution, Evanger’s Dog & Cat Food is voluntarily expanding its recall of Hunk of Beef and is also recalling Evanger’s Braised Beef and Against the Grain’s Pulled Beef Products due to potential adulteration with pentobarbital," the company announced on Friday via a statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture website.

The 12 ounce cans that are being voluntarily recalled have the following barcodes. The numbers listed below are the second half of the barcode, which can be found on the back of the product label:

• Evanger’s: Hunk of Beef: 20109
• Evanger’s: Braised Beef: 20107
• Against the Grain: Pulled Beef: 80001

The three products being voluntarily recalled were manufactured between December 2015 and January 2017, and have expiration dates of December 2019 through January 2021. These products were distributed online and through independent boutique pet stores.

The recall only covers "hand-packed" products, which include pieces of meat manually placed in cans. The company has said that five dogs have been sickened and one has died.

Evanger’s said the recall is the first 82 years of manufacturing. Anyone who has some of the recalled food should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Questions may be directed to the company at (847) 537-0102 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Central Time, Monday-Friday.

Image via USDA