US Peanut Butter Scare Update

The Food and Drug Administration confirmed this week that the Blakely, Georgia, facility owned and operated by Peanut Corporation of America is at the centre of the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that has sickened hundreds and been linked to at least five deaths.

The agency said testing by a Connecticut Department of Health laboratory that identified the pathogen in an unopened container of King Nut peanut butter which was manufactured at the plant and the epidemiological investigation being conducted by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention led FDA to confirm the Blakely plant as the source.
Through its investigation, the FDA has determined that the PCA distributed potentially contaminated product to more than 70 companies, for use as an ingredient in hundreds of different products, such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream.
In a statement following the FDA’s announcement, PCA said the company would continue to ‘work with all regulatory agencies involved in this ongoing, dynamic investigation’ and that I twould address the agency’s findings when they are shared with the company.
“To date, we have nothing in writing from the agency that documents its findings that result from its ongoing investigation and testing onsite at our facility. We trust that at some point they will share this with us and PCA will respond accordingly. During this entire process we have continued our cooperation with federal and state officials and we have diligently worked with our customers to ensure the safety of consumers.”
On January 18, the PCA expanded its previous recall to include all products manufactured on or after July 1, 2008, at the Blakely plant. The PCA has stopped production at the plant as the FDA continues its investigation.
The list of food companies and retailers caught in the recall has grown longer as Ready Pac Foods recalled fruit and vegetable snack packs that contain peanut butter sourced from the supplier.
In addition, The Kroger Company expanded its recall to include the Light version of its Private Selection Peanut Passion Ice Cream, and Cub Foods announced it was recalling five peanut butter cookie products.
The list of companies initiating recalls due to the outbreak grew longer as well with NutriSystem recalling peanut butter granola bars; Blanton’s Candies recalling Blanton’s branded peanut butter sticks; Country Maid recalling peanut butter cookies; and PetSmart recalling dog biscuits manufactured with product from the PCA.