Evanger’s Pet Food is recalling five lots from its “Hunk of Beef” line of cat and dog food.
Spurred on by the death of a dog, one Illinois pet food company has issued its first-ever voluntary recall for its No. 1 selling “Hunk of Beef” cat and dog food.
Evanger’s Pet Food announced the retraction after an investigation into the death of a Washington State pug found that a harmful contaminant known as pentobarbital, commonly used by veterinarians to euthanize animals, was found in one lot of “Hunk of Beef Au Jus,” the company said in a statement.
The business issued the five-lot recall “out of an abundance of caution,” the statement said. Side effects of pentobarbital may include drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, loss of balance, or nausea — and in extreme cases, possibly even death.
The 12-ounce cans were manufactured the week of June 6 – June 13, 2016, and were sold both online and in retail stores throughout the following 15 states:
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Affected lot numbers 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.
“We feel that we have been let down by our supplier, and in reference to the possible presence of pentobarbital, we have let down our customers,” Evanger’s Pet Food wrote in the statement.
The company said they are committed to “fully-funding” vet bills for pets sickened by the recall, and are making a donation to a Washington State animal shelter in honor of Talula, the pug, who died as a result of eating the tainted food.
Consumers can return the pet food for a full refund. For more information on this recall, please visit the Evanger’s Pet Food website.
