Safety & Testing

EverChew Safety & Quality

Safety & Quality at EverChew

Testing Matters—Because Safety Cannot Be Judged by Appearance Alone

A dog chew may look, smell, and feel completely normal while still carrying harmful microorganisms. The same can be true of many human foods. That is why appearance alone is not enough to evaluate a chew.

At EverChew, our commitment to a safer chew time for dogs extends beyond the design of our SafetyChew holders. It also includes how we inspect, screen, and test the dog chews we sell.

01

Our Safety and Quality Process

New lots of chews generally arrive every one to two months. Each incoming lot moves through a series of checks before the chews are offered for sale.

1

Lot Arrival

We track the incoming shipment so testing records can be connected to the lot sampled.

2

Box Inspection

We inspect every box to confirm that the protective packaging is intact and look for anything unusual.

3

Independent Lot Testing

Representative samples of each lot are submitted to an outside microbiology analytical lab for Salmonella and E. coli testing.

4

Supplemental Lot Screening

EverChew performs an additional in-house bacterial screening on each lot and photographs the process as a quality-control record.

5

Individual Inspection of Every Chew

Each chew is manually handled and visually inspected during processing and packaging. Sharp points are trimmed and any chews with unusual coloring or features are removed.

6

Results and Records

The applicable lot results are added to this testing archive, and records are retained so the report can be traced to the samples tested.

What We Look for on Every Chew

Each chew is individually handled and inspected by our team in Washington state. Because the ranches that supply our chews also focus heavily on quality, we see very few problem chews. Even so, we look closely for three main issues:

  • Sharp points: Occasionally, part of a chew dries into a small point that projects from the side. We use nippers to trim the point so it won't to nick the inside of your dog’s mouth.
  • Unusual discoloration or spotting: A change in color can have more than one cause, but we do not try to guess. If a chew looks questionable, we remove and discard it. For example, over more than five years, we have found approximately six chews with unusual coloring and one chew with a small piece of nitrile glove dried to the surface. They were all discarded.
02

Bacterial Testing

Our dog chews are animal-derived products, specifically cattle. Heat processing during the drying stages will eliminate harmful bacteria, but contamination can still be accidentally introduced later during handling, packaging, transportation, or storage. That is why EverChew tests finished chews from incoming lots.

Why Salmonella Matters

Salmonella can affect dogs and people.

Dogs exposed to a contaminated product may develop vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, or abdominal discomfort. Some dogs may carry or shed Salmonella without appearing visibly ill.

People can be exposed while handling a contaminated chew, touching a contaminated surface, cleaning up after a pet, or having close contact with an animal that is shedding the organism.

Why E. coli Matters

Generic E. coli can help evaluate process control.

E. coli, short for Escherichia coli, is a large group of bacteria. Many types normally live in the intestinal tracts of people and animals and do not cause illness. Certain pathogenic types can cause serious disease.

Our current outside-laboratory analysis is a generic E. coli plate count. Generic E. coli is commonly used as an indicator that provides information about how well the sanitation and process controls for the dog chews were.

Jump to Our Latest Test Results
03

Independent Laboratory Testing

Our external testing is performed by an independent analytical laboratory accredited through the ANSI National Accreditation Board to ISO/IEC 17025:2017. This accreditation means the laboratory has been independently evaluated for technical competence and a quality-management system within its defined testing scope.

Salmonella by Real-Time PCR

Looking for a genetic signature

PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. The method looks for a genetic signature associated with Salmonella by making many copies of a targeted section of DNA so that a small amount can be detected.

A negative result means Salmonella was not detected in the submitted sample under the laboratory’s method and detection conditions.

Generic E. coli Plate Count

Counting colonies grown from the sample

The sample is placed on a growth surface where living bacteria can form visible colonies. “CFU/g” means colony-forming units per gram.

A result of <10 CFU/g means the laboratory did not measure E. coli at or above 10 colony-forming units per gram, which is the reportable threshold shown on the laboratory report. This result is the comparable to the 10-per-mL coliform limit used for Grade A pasteurized milk.

How Samples Are Submitted

  1. Representative pieces are collected from chews in the identified incoming lot.
  2. While wearing nitrile gloves, sample chews are placed into clean plastic bags labeled with the lot or box number.
  3. The samples are shipped to the outside laboratory for testing.
  4. The laboratory prepares the samples and performs the specified Salmonella and generic E. coli analyses.
  5. When the report is received, EverChew adds the applicable results to the lot archive on this page.
Representative EverChew dog chews placed in labeled bags for laboratory testing
Representative chews placed in labeled clean bags for shipment to the independent laboratory.
View Laboratory Results by Lot
04

Supplemental Screening Performed by EverChew

In addition to independent laboratory testing, EverChew performs supplemental in-house screening. This gives us another opportunity to examine samples from an incoming lot and document the process as an added quality-control measure.

What Is an LFA?

LFA stands for lateral flow assay. The test case is similar in format to many familiar at-home rapid tests. Liquid moves across a membrane and interacts with antibodies designed to capture a particular target. A test line appears when the device detects its target at or above its detection level.

How We Use the Test Kits

Salmonella and E. coli/coliform screening

The Salmonella and the E. coli LFAs are both used after an enrichment growth step intended to make a small amount of a target organism easier to detect. The enrichment holds the samples in a warm broth overnight allowing any bacteria to reproduce to increase the sensitivity of the tests.

Our Current Internal Screening Process


  1. Prepare the enrichment broth.
  2. Collect representative chews from the identified incoming lot.
  3. Place two chews from each selected box into a clean, labeled plastic bag.
  4. Add 5 mL of water to the bag and shake it for approximately 10 seconds to create rinsate.
  5. Transfer 1 mL of rinsate into a labeled vial.
  6. Add 9 mL of enrichment broth to the vial.
  7. Place the prepared vial in a 37°C incubator for approximately 24 hours.
  8. Remove the incubated vial and cool to room temperature.
  9. Open the Salmonella and E. coli test cards.
  10. Add 3 drops of incubate to each card.
  11. Read and photograph the results after 2 minutes.

Enrichment broth is used to support or selectively favor growth of a target organism, when present, so it can be more readily detected by a screening assay.

Photos of the Internal Screening Process

Selecting representative EverChew dog chews from an incoming lot
Grabbing chews from the incoming lot.
EverChew dog chews placed into clean labeled plastic sample bags
Place two chews from each selected box into a clean bag.
Rinse water being added to a bag containing EverChew dog chews
Add rinse water and shake to create the sample rinsate.
Rinsate from the first dog chew sample being transferred into a labeled vial
Transfer 1g rinsate from a sample bag into a vessel.
Enrichment broth being added to the first dog chew sample vial
Add enrichment broth to the rinsate.
Prepared dog chew sample vials being placed into a laboratory incubator
Placing vessels into the 37°C incubator.
Dog chew sample vials undergoing incubation at 37 degrees Celsius
Samples incubating for approximately 24-hours.
Enriched dog chew samples after removal from the incubator
Incubated samples cooling to room temp.
Packaged Salmonella and E. coli coliform lateral flow screening tests
Unopened salmonella & E. coli test kits.
First enriched dog chew sample applied to Salmonella and E. coli screening cassettes
Negative test results shown on both test kits.
Documented Salmonella lateral flow screening test results
Salmonella test kit results instructions.
Documented E. coli and coliform lateral flow screening test results
E. coli test kit results instructions.
05

Lot Testing Results

Below you can review the published bacterial results for EverChew dog chews. The most recent lot appears first.

July 2026 Bully Stick Lot

Samples received by laboratory: July 22, 2026 Laboratory report date: July 24, 2026

Independent Laboratory Results

Two bully stick samples from the incoming lot were submitted for generic E. coli plate count and Salmonella testing by PCR. Both samples returned the same results.

Sample ID Generic E. coli Plate Count Salmonella by PCR
P3-B5540 <10 CFU/g Negative
P3-B5491 <10 CFU/g Negative

These results apply only to the samples received and tested by the laboratory. “Negative” and “<10 CFU/g” do not mean that every individual chew in the lot was separately tested.

EverChew uses an independent laboratory for bacterial testing. The laboratory’s name, contact information, personnel names, and traceable identifying details have been removed to protect our proprietary vendor relationship. The sample descriptions, testing dates, test methods, results, reporting limits, and accreditation information shown in this report have not been altered. EverChew retains the complete original report.

Full July 2026 independent laboratory report for samples P3-B5540 and P3-B5491.
Full July 2026 independent laboratory report for samples P3-B5540 and P3-B5491.
Open Full-Size Laboratory Report

Photos of the July 2026 Internal Test Results

Sample P3-5540 Salmonella negative test result.
Sample P3-5540 Salmonella negative test result.
Sample P3-5540 E Coli negative test result.
Sample P3-5540 E Coli negative test result.
Sample P3-5491 Salmonella negative test result.
Sample P3-5491 Salmonella negative test result.
Sample P3-5491 E Coli negative test result.
Sample P3-5491 E Coli negative test result.

You can contact our team at info@everchew.com where a real human will reply.

You can also call us at 512-249-2890 where a machine will probably answer, but a real human will listen and respond.

Let customers speak for us

from 150 reviews
Finn (cattle dog/boxer) and Cora (husky mix) Love their SuperChew Holders!

We got the bully stick holder for our puppy, Finn, for safe chewing, and he loves it. We recently added another shelter pup, Cora, so we bought a second holder. We continued with this product because it has held up really well. The first holder is pretty rough from all the use, but is still working well.

Frankie B.
SuperChew Large Dog Starter Pack: Indestructible Dog Chew Holder + All-Natural Bully Sticks
SuperChew Large Dog Starter Pack: Indestructible Dog Chew Holder + All-Natural Bully Sticks
Only bully stick we give and have ever given to our dog

This is the only bully stick our family gives our dog. A true treat that, for years, has never been rejected. The holder is a plus, still going strong for years.

Anonymous
All-Natural Bully Stick Refill Pack for SafetyChew Dog Holders
All-Natural Bully Stick Refill Pack for SafetyChew Dog Holders
Everchew bullysticks and holder are the best money I spend on my mini aussie

Everchew bullysticks and holder are the best money I spend on my mini aussie, Scout. She LOVES her bullysticks.

Josie T.
EverChew
My dog loves these bulky sticks

My dog loves these bulky sticks and I love the chew holder for his safety. I am a repeat customer and recommend this product to all my friends.

Leah K.
SafetyChew+ Medium Dog Starter Pack: Heavy-Duty Dog Chew Holder & All-Natural Bully Sticks
SafetyChew+ Medium Dog Starter Pack: Heavy-Duty Dog Chew Holder & All-Natural Bully Sticks

Great!

B.
All-Natural Bully Stick Refill Pack for SafetyChew Dog Holders
All-Natural Bully Stick Refill Pack for SafetyChew Dog Holders
These keep my 1 year old Corgi occupied for 30-45 mins

These keep my 1 year old Corgi occupied for 30-45 mins. He loves to chew! I dont feed him rawhide for fear of blockages so these are a great replacement!

Anonymous
All-Natural Bully Stick Refill Pack for SafetyChew Dog Holders
All-Natural Bully Stick Refill Pack for SafetyChew Dog Holders
My Daughters Dog Rico loves these

My Daughters Dog Rico loves these !!!!!!!!

Anonymous
All-Natural Bully Stick Refill Pack for SafetyChew Dog Holders
All-Natural Bully Stick Refill Pack for SafetyChew Dog Holders
Our pup LOVES these

Our pup LOVES these. EverChew's product is high quality and we can rest assured that the bullystick holder will protect against an accident. The customer service is top class too! Our family is grateful for this option to provide a healthy and stimulating outlet for our Aussie.

Matt O.
SafetyChew+ Medium Dog Starter Pack: Heavy-Duty Dog Chew Holder & All-Natural Bully Sticks
SafetyChew+ Medium Dog Starter Pack: Heavy-Duty Dog Chew Holder & All-Natural Bully Sticks
Both my doodles are big chewers…they get hours

Both my doodles are big chewers…they get hours of “chew time” with these bullysticks and they absolutely love them!

Kim P.
All-Natural Bully Stick Refill Pack for SafetyChew Dog Holders
All-Natural Bully Stick Refill Pack for SafetyChew Dog Holders
This product is perfect!

This product is perfect! It's nice and small unlike some other holders, and over 5 years and countless sticks, it has never failed once (unlike some other holders). I will gladly stock the pre-drilled holes (or spend time drilling my own) for the security and peace of mind this product offers. It would not be possible for me to love the SafetyChew more!

Anonymous
SafetyChew+ Medium Dog Starter Pack: Heavy-Duty Dog Chew Holder & All-Natural Bully Sticks
SafetyChew+ Medium Dog Starter Pack: Heavy-Duty Dog Chew Holder & All-Natural Bully Sticks

My dog loves them!

Joanne M.
All-Natural Bully Stick Refill Pack for SafetyChew Dog Holders
All-Natural Bully Stick Refill Pack for SafetyChew Dog Holders
I have a 3-month-old puppy and I looked everywhere for things that would be safe for her

I have a 3-month-old puppy and I looked everywhere for things that would be safe for her. She loves her ever chew holder and the natural bully stick. She carries it everywhere. She plays with it by tossing it in the air and chasing it. It has been the best thing to keep her busy and to help with her anxiety when I leave the house. I recommend this for anybody who has a new puppy, a middle-aged dog, or an elderly dog.

Molly A.
All-Natural Bully Stick Refill Pack for SafetyChew Dog Holders
All-Natural Bully Stick Refill Pack for SafetyChew Dog Holders
I love this!

I love this for keeping my 72 lb Labrador from swallowing a large chunk of the pizzle. I just wish it was less expensive so I could by one every month as they tend to get pretty chewed up. But I like this one over the hard plastic black one that gets very sharp edges when it gets chewed on.

Marianne J.
SafetyChew+ Medium Dog Starter Pack: Heavy-Duty Dog Chew Holder & All-Natural Bully Sticks
SafetyChew+ Medium Dog Starter Pack: Heavy-Duty Dog Chew Holder & All-Natural Bully Sticks
Love

Love these

Jean S.
All-Natural Bully Stick Refill Pack for SafetyChew Dog Holders
All-Natural Bully Stick Refill Pack for SafetyChew Dog Holders
Excellent product.

Very clean and no smell product. Dogs love these. Appreciate the natural clean chew for my pups. Great they are drilled for a holder. Keep up the great work.

Stan T.
EverChew