Peanut Corporation of America Announces Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Peanut Butter
Contact:
Peanut Corporation of America
1-877-564-7080

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Lynchburg, Va. (January 13, 2009) – Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), a peanut processing company and maker of peanut butter for bulk distribution to institutions, food service industries, and private label food companies, today announced a voluntary recall of peanut butter produced in its Blakely, Georgia processing facility because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

All product affected was produced on or after July 1, 2008, specific to the lot numbers and descriptions listed below.

The peanut butter being recalled is sold by PCA in bulk packaging to distributors for institutional and food service industry use. It is also sold under the brand name Parnell’s Pride to those same industries. Additionally, it is sold by the King Nut Company under the label King Nut. PCA customers who received the recalled product are being notified by telephone and in writing.

None of the peanut butter being recalled is sold directly to consumers through retail stores.

“We deeply regret that this has happened,” said Stewart Parnell, owner and president of PCA. “Out of an abundance of caution, we are voluntarily withdrawing this product and contacting our customers. We are taking these actions with the safety of our consumers as our first priority.”

PCA initiated this recall after an open container of King Nut brand peanut butter in a long-term care facility in Minnesota was found to contain a strain of salmonella. King Nut brand peanut butter is produced by PCA.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Minnesota laboratory analyses on the contamination in the already-opened container of peanut butter have the same genetic fingerprint as the cases in the national outbreak that has sickened almost 400 people in 42 states.

The voluntary recall of 21 lots of its peanut butter, in containers ranging from five to 50 pounds, is being taken immediately. PCA is notifying its institutional customers and has set up a toll-free hotline number 1-877-564-7080 to answer questions.

PCA is continuing to work closely and cooperating with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state officials as part of this ongoing investigation.

According to a CDC update issued on their website today (January 13, 2009), preliminary analysis of an epidemiologic study conducted by CDC and public health officials has suggested peanut butter as a likely source. The CDC and other public health officials are continuing to conduct surveillance for cases of infection with the outbreak strains, and to gather and analyze data or exposures that may be associated with illness. To date, no association has been found with common brand names of peanut butter sold in grocery stores.

Customers are asked to take all peanut butter manufactured with the lot numbers listed below out of distribution immediately. Customers can call the following toll-free 24-hour number 1-877-564-7080 for further instructions on what to do with the product or visit the company website at www.peanutcorp.com for additional information.

Eating food contaminated with Salmonella can result in abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and fever. Most people infected with Salmonella develop the symptoms 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. However, in some persons, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses. For more information on the salmonella bacteria, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Website at http://www.cdc.gov.

Lot Numbers Affected:

8193, 8194, 8197, 8233, 8234, 8235, 8241, 8255, 8256, 8275, 8276, 8282, 8283, 8284, 8296, 8316, 8330, 8331, 8336, 8345, 8354

Stock Numbers
Descriptions
Pack Size Affected

551000
Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter
6 ct / 5 lb

551006
Crunchy Stabilized Peanut Butter
6 ct / 5 lb

551020
Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter
35 lb

551022
Natural Course Peanut Paste
35 lb

551025
Old Fashioned Creamy Peanut Butter with 1% Salt
35 lb

551035
Crunchy Natural Peanut Butter
35 lb

551040
Creamy Natural Peanut Butter
35 lb

551050
Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter
50 lb

551050-D
Dark Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter
50 lb

551051
Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter with Monodiglyceride
50 lb

551053
Crunchy Stabilized Peanut Butter
50 lb

551072
Peanut Butter Variegate
45 lb

WASHINGTON — Federal health authorities on Saturday urged consumers to avoid eating cookies, cakes, ice cream and other foods that contain peanut butter until authorities can learn more about a deadly outbreak of salmonella contamination.

Most peanut butter sold in jars at supermarkets appears to be safe, said Stephen Sundlof, head of the Food and Drug Administration's food safety center.

"As of now, there is no indication that the major national name-brand jars of peanut butter sold in retails stores are linked to the recall," Sundlof told reporters in a conference call.

Officials are focusing on peanut paste, as well as peanut butter, produced at a Blakely, Ga., facility owned by Peanut Corp. of America. Its peanut butter is not sold directly to consumers but distributed to institutions and food companies. But the peanut paste, made from roasted peanuts, is an ingredient in cookies, cakes and other products that people buy in the supermarket.

"This is an excellent illustration of an ingredient-driven outbreak," said Dr. Robert Tauxe, who oversees foodborne illness investigations for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So far, more than 470 people have gotten sick in 43 states, and at least 90 had to be hospitalized. At least six deaths are being blamed on the outbreak. Salmonella is a bacteria and the most common source of food poisoning in the U.S., causing diarrhea, cramping and fever.

Officials said new illnesses are still being reported in the outbreak investigation.

The Kellogg Co., which listed Peanut Corp. as one of its suppliers, has recalled 16 products. They include Austin and Keebler branded Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, and some snack-size packs of Famous Amos Peanut Butter Cookies and Keebler Soft Batch Homestyle Peanut Butter Cookies. Health officials said consumers who have bought any of those products should throw them away.

Peanut Corp. has recalled all peanut butter produced at the Georgia plant since Aug. 8 and all peanut paste produced since Sept. 26. The plant passed its last state inspection this summer, but recent tests have found salmonella.

Health officials are focusing on 30 companies out of a total of 85 that received peanut products from the Georgia plant. Sundlof said Peanut Corp. is a relatively small supplier on the national scene.

The outbreak has also triggered a congressional inquiry and renewed calls for reform of food safety laws. For example, the FDA lacks authority to order a recall, and instead must ask companies to voluntarily withdraw products.

"Given the numerous food-borne illness outbreaks over the past several years, it is becoming painfully clear that the current regulatory structure is antiquated and ill-equipped to handle these extensive investigations," said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., who chairs a panel that oversees the FDA budget.

Seattle-area lawyer William Marler, who specializes in food safety cases, said the government shouldn't wait for the results of more tests to request recalls.

"At least 30 companies purchased peanut butter or paste from a facility with a documented link to a nationwide salmonella outbreak," said Marler. "The FDA has the authority actually, the mandate to request recalls if the public health is threatened. Instead, the FDA has asked the companies to test their products and consider voluntary recalls. It is just not enough."

Health officials in Minnesota and Virginia have linked two deaths each to the outbreak and Idaho has reported one. Four of those five were elderly people, and all had salmonella when they died, although their exact causes of death have not been determined. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the salmonella may have contributed.

An elderly North Carolina man died in November from the same strain of salmonella that's causing the outbreak, officials in that state said Friday.

The CDC said the bacteria behind the outbreak _ typhimurium _ is common and not an unusually dangerous strain but that the elderly or those with weakened immune systems are more at risk.

Aspen Hills Inc. of Garner, Iowa, is recalling peanut butter-containing cookie dough products, because they could be contaminated with salmonella. This organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. No illness has been reported.

The recall includes select date codes of the following products:

Baker Jo's peanut butter, peanut butter chocolate chunk, and monster three-pound pails.

Ovens of Ashley monster three-pound pails.

Gourmet Cookie Dough peanut butter, and peanut butter chocolate chunk three-pound pails.

Gigi's peanut butter three-pound pails and three-pound corrugated boxes.

Arizona Gold peanut butter and I love Peanut Butter three-pound pails.

ABC Dough peanut butter three-pound pails.

Details: by phone at 888-273-0302.

Rain Creek Baking Corp. of Madera, Calif., is recalling a variety of its dessert products that contain peanut butter, because they could be contaminated with salmonella. This organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. No illnesses have been reported. The desserts were sold at grocery, warehouse and other stores around the country. Details: by phone at 800-530-0505 or 800-621-0099.

Perry's Ice Cream updated their Jan. 17, 2009, voluntary recall of select ice cream products containing peanut butter that may be contaminated with salmonella. This organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. No illnesses have been reported. Consumers are urged to destroy the product.

Shurfine Peanut Butter Swirl Ice Cream, 1.75 quart packages, UPC code 15400-22258, distributed in New York and Pennsylvania.

Meijer Peanut Butter Cup, 16 oz. package, UPC code 71928-39684, distributed in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan.

Details: by phone: 800-873-7797 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST, or 716-562-0260; on the Web: http://www.perrysicecream.com/.

Trader Joe's recalled three private label products that contain peanut butter that may be contaminated with salmonella. This organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. No illnesses have been reported. Customers who have purchased these items should return them to Trader Joe's for a full refund.

Peanut Butter Chewy Coated & Drizzled Granola Bars, 7.4-ounce (UPC 88713), supplied by Lovin Oven LLC and sold nationwide.

Nutty Chocolate Chewy Coated & Drizzled Granola Bars 7.4-ounce (UPC 88721), supplied by Lovin Oven LLC and sold nationwide.

Sutter's Formula Cookies, 16-ounce (SKU 00176), produced by WendySue & Tobey's Bakery and sold at Trader Joe's stores in Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada.

Parker Products Inc. is recalling three products because they may be contaminated with salmonella. None of the products was sold directly to consumers, but were distributed nationwide in bulk pack cases as an ingredient to manufacturers and companies for private label. The company says it has notified all its customers who received the products.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup 1442, manufactured on 11/6/08, lot code 08296, 30 lb. case.

Peanut Butter Cookies & Creme Organic Bark 2348, manufactured on 10/3/08, lot code 08277, 10 lb. case.

Peanut Butter Milk Blend 2310, manufactured on 07/31/08, lot code 08184, 30 lb. case.