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Thursday, January 29, 2009
Peanut Butter Recall Update
As the Salmonella outbreak continues to ripple through the food industry,
we can not help but be amazed at the scope. Over 500 reported illnesses in 43 states with 8 confirmed deaths.
Six months’ worth (31 million lbs) of peanut products have been recalled by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA).
At last count, 185 secondary product recalls from food that used the peanut butter or peanut paste as an ingredient.
According to the CDC’s website, they think the worst is finally over, but because
some of the products remain on the shelf, it is possible that there will be additional illnesses.
Now it has been widely reported that the company had previously found Salmonella in their routine
test samples, but released the suspected lots after a different laboratory posted negative results on a second set of samples.
If this is true, it does not bode well for the future of the company or its management. It is sad to think of how many families
have been and will continue to be affected by this ongoing crisis. If ever there was a time to review your own company’s
exposure to a food-borne illness outbreak, now might be that time.
2:53 pm
Monday, January 19, 2009
Peanut Butter Recall Continues to Expand
Blakely, Georgia based Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) has widened the recent recall of its peanut butter and
peanut paste products. Samples taken from the production facility and unopened containers of peanut butter
products have tested positive for the same type of Salmonella that has sickened up to 475 people and killed 6 over the past
few weeks. The recall now includes up to 24 states, Canada, Korea, and Haiti among the places the suspected tainted food was
delivered. One of the problems for investigators is that much of the product was used as an ingredient
for further processed foods, such as cookies, snack crackers, and candy. Given the extended shelf-life
of these products and the unknown time frame from when the problem began, we can expect that much of this product remains
in the marketplace available to the consumer. At this time, we believe that most, if not all, of the initial customers of PCA
have been notified and begun to issue their own recalls. Since this product was used mostly for institutions
and manufacturing, we don’t believe there is any risk associated with jars of peanut butter bought at your local store.
I would avoid eating any other peanut butter products until this whole thing shakes out and we see how far-reaching
it has become.
9:34 am
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