Québec Company Recalls Chocolate Spreads

Updated January 15, 2009

Original article posted December 6, 2008

Verger Duhaime Inc. (St. Germain, QC) has recalled all date codes of several varieties of Duhaime Chocolaté brands spreads. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Allergy Alert (updated January 15, 2009 with additional distribution information), these spreads may contain milk which is not declared on the label.

The recall encompasses the following items (UPC numbers in brackets), distributed in Québec, Ontario, New Brunswick and British Columbia, and possibly in other parts of Canada as well:

• Banana and Bourbon Vanilla (7 63026 00215 0)
  
• Black Tea and Vanilla Bourbon (7 63026 00615 8)
  
• Cranberry and Lemon (7 63026 00715 5)
  
• Fig and Port (7 63026 00515 1)
  
• Lychee, Ginger and Lemon (7 63026 00815 2)
  
• Orange and Cardamom (7 63026 00415 4)
  
• Pear and Dark Rum (7 63026 00915 9)
  
• Red Pepper, Honey and Paprika (7 63026 01115 2)
  
• Santos Bourbon Coffee (7 63026 00315 7)
  
• Strawberry and Kiwi (7 63026 00115 3)
  

While there have been no reported illnesses, individuals who are allergic to milk proteins may suffer a severe allergic reaction after eating the recalled items. Consumers who wish to avoid consuming milk-containing products should either discard these spreads or return them to the store for a refund.

Bits & Pieces: New Zealand Savouries Recalled

January 15, 2009

Couplands Bakeries (ChristChurch, NZ) has recalled packages of their "2 dozen frozen Assorted Savouries" due to the risk that some items may be contaminated with plastic fragments.

The recalled packages are labeled with Best Before dates of 29/12/09, 30/12/09 and 5/1/10. The products were sold on the South Island in Couplands Bakeries stores, and at Prime Cut Meats in Wanaka, South Island.

Consumers are requested to return the recalled savouries to the store for a replacement or refund.

Allergy Alert: ShopRite Kosher Bread Crumbs

January 15, 2009

ShopRite has recalled 15-ounce (425 g) packages of ShopRite brand Kosher Bread Crumbs (UPC #41190-04486) due to the presence of undeclared sesame seeds.

Individuals who are allergic to sesame seeds could experience a severe allergic reaction after consuming the bread crumbs.

Consumers with questions about this recall should contact the ShopRite Customer Care Center at 1-800-746-7748.

Salmonella Typhimurium: Confirmed Cases "Tip of the Iceberg"

January 15, 2009

In every major food poisoning outbreak, whether Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes or E. coli O157:H7, the confirmed cases represent only a fraction of the actual number of outbreak victims. This outbreak will be no different.

Yesterday, the Kellogg Company announced a precautionary product hold on several varieties of Austin and Keebler peanut butter sandwich crackers while it determined whether the snacks were made using peanut butter paste recalled by Peanut Corporation of America.

Here is what a reader of eFoodAlert had to say:

"I purchase the toasted PB and the cheese and pb at CVS Division and State Streets in Chicago. I got sick the beginning of Thanksgiving week. I thought I had the "flu." I used Immodium and then a probiotic because the immodium wasn't working. I continued to purchase these products even through this week, after going off the probiotic the "flu" symptoms reoccurred.

Stupid me, 'did not go to a doctor, thought the problem would "pass." CVS keeps of a record of purchases made on the CVS card accounts. They should be able to track the users who got sick. I'd say the chances of Austin brand using the tainted peanut butter is almost 95% but most people don't die from intestinal salmonella but my reactive arthritis sure is doing a number on me."

Please avoid all "filled" cookies, crackers, candies and other snacks that contain peanut butter – including ice creams. Baked peanut butter-flavored items should be safe, as the Salmonella should be killed by oven baking. 

And watch eFoodAlert updates for the latest recall information.

Salmonella Typhimurium: 434 People Infected; 5 Dead

January 15, 2009

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported late yesterday evening that the number of confirmed cases of salmonellosis attributed to the national outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium has risen to at least 434 people, five of whom have died. One New Brunswick (Canada) resident who visits the United States frequently also has been infected with the outbreak strain.

While there is no way of knowing to what extent Salmonella was responsible for these deaths, all five of the deceased were infected with the Salmonella Typhimurium strain that has been found in peanut butter. One of the dead victims was a resident of Idaho, two were from Virginia and two from Minnesota. Three were over 65 years of age – two of them older than 70.

Twenty-eight percent of the confirmed cases have needed hospital care – a high, but not unheard-of proportion of cases, based on data from US Salmonella outbreaks reported in the last several years. The number of victims is almost evenly split between genders – 49% are female; the oldest victim is over 98 years of age, and the youngest under one year. The most recent reported onset date was December 31, 2008.

The distribution of confirmed cases by state is as follows:

Alabama (1), Arizona (8), Arkansas (4), California (57), Colorado (9), Connecticut (8), Georgia (6), Hawaii (1), Idaho (10), Illinois (5), Indiana (3), Iowa (1), Kansas (2), Kentucky (3), Maine (4), Maryland (7), Massachusetts (40), Michigan (20), Minnesota (33), Missouri (8), Mississippi (1), Nebraska (1), New Hampshire (10), New Jersey (16), New York (17), Nevada (5), North Carolina (1), North Dakota (10), Ohio (57), Oklahoma (2), Oregon (5), Pennsylvania (13), Rhode Island (4), South Dakota (2), Tennessee (8), Texas (6), Utah (3), Vermont (4), Virginia (19), Washington (13), West Virginia (2), Wisconsin (3), and Wyoming (2).

Epidemiological detective work by the Minnesota Departments of Health and Agriculture linked the outbreak last week to peanut butter distributed by King Nut to nursing homes and other institutions in the states. Salmonella recovered from an opened jar of peanut butter taken from one of the facilities was a genetic match for the outbreak strain.

King Nut and Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) – the manufacturer of the peanut butter – have both initiated product recalls. And yesterday, the Kellogg Company announced a precautionary "product hold" on several Austin and Keebler varieties of peanut butter sandwich crackers. The company, which may have used PCA's peanut butter paste in the filling for some of the sandwich crackers took this step to protect consumers while it traces the ingredients used in its outstanding stock of these products.

While the peak in the number of new cases may have occurred in late November and the first part of December, there is a risk of a second spurt of new cases as products made with some of the contaminated peanut butter reach retail consumers. Kellogg's responsible action may have forestalled some of this, but we haven't yet heard from other commercial customers of PCA.

Let's hope that PCA's other customers take their cue from Kellogg and put consumer protection first.

Kellogg Puts Hold on Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers

January 14, 2009

The Kellogg Company has placed a precautionary hold on its Austin and Keebler brands of peanut butter sandwich crackers, and is asking consumers to not eat these products until the investigation surrounding the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) peanut butter recall has been completed.

PCA is one of several suppliers of peanut butter paste used in the fillings of these sandwich crackers.

Kellogg has put an inventory hold on the products, and has instructed that they be removed from store shelves. The company has not issued a recall notice, but is using the "product hold" mechanism as a safety precaution while it determines whether any of the following Austin or Keebler products contain recalled peanut butter:

• Toasted Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
  
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Crackers
  
• Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
  
• Peanut Butter-Chocolate Sandwich Crackers
  

Kellogg has not received reports of any illnesses associated with these products. And, while the company has not initiated a recall, any consumer who wishes to return one of the sandwich cracker products for a refund can call the Kellogg Consumer Response Center at 1-888-314-2060.

Five Dead in Peanut Butter Outbreak

January 14, 2009

According to the Associated Press, the death toll among victims of the national Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak has risen to five – two each in Minnesota and Virginia, and one in Idaho.

The five people whose deaths may be due to their having becoming infected with Salmonella Typhimurium after eating contaminated peanut butter include:

• A man over the age of 65 from eastern Idaho
  
• Two adults in Virginia (no other details released)
  
• A Minnesota man in his 70s
  
• A Minnesota woman in her 70s
  

As of January 12th, CDC was reporting 410 confirmed cases of salmonellosis due to the outbreak strain in 43 states, and 3 deaths. According to Marler Blog, the total number of victims has now surpassed 425.

Anyone who followed the progress of last summer's Listeria monocytogenes outbreak in Canada can be excused for experiencing a feeling of déjà vu. The contaminated peanut butter was served to people in nursing homes and long term care facilities – a group of individuals with weakened immune systems. This population is highly susceptible to suffering severe dehydration as a result of gastroenteritis.

Tragically, we can expect the death rate from this Salmonella outbreak to be higher than is usually the case for Salmonella. 

Optima Dog Food Accused of Poisoning Dogs in China

January 14, 2009

At least 20 dogs – including 3 in Shanghai – have apparently died from aflatoxin-induced liver failure in the Peoples Republic of China after being fed imported dog food, according to Dong Hui of the Shanghai Daily on-line. Additional dogs are ill.

The illnesses reportedly are linked to a batch of Optima Puppy Lamb and Rice Dry Dog Food that was manufactured sometime in August/September 2008. The Shanghai dealer has recalled the offending batch.

According to both the Shanghai Daily report and CNN Asia, the imported dog food was manufactured in Australia by Doane International Pet Products and distributed in the PRC by Natural Pet Corporation, a Taiwan company. But, neither we nor our Australian contacts were able to find a listing for Doane in the Australian Business Register. Nor, to our knowledge, is Optima available on the Australian market (although Mars offers "Optimum" brand dog food in Australia).

Optima brand pet food is manufactured by Doane International Pet Products LLC of Brentwood, TN (USA). Doane was acquired in 2006 by Mars, Inc. and operates under the Mars Petcare umbrella. When contacted by Associated Press, Mars issued the following statement:

"To the best of its current knowledge, the Optima-branded pet food which appears to have caused these reported incidents in the People's Republic of China was not manufactured by, or under the authority of, Mars or any of its affiliated companies."

The Natural Pet Corporation website lists Optima as one of its products, but does not indicate the country of manufacture. We have queried both Optima (Mars Petcare) and Natural Pet Corporation seeking clarification of the confusion.

Will Mars determine, on further investigation, that the offending batch of Optima was manufactured in the United States? Or is there another explanation, such as unauthorized use of the Optima name and packaging design by an unscrupulous overseas pet food manufacturer?

Dead dogs tell no tales. But someone should.

Peanut Corporation of America Initiates Massive Recall

January 14, 2009

Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) has initiated a voluntary nationwide recall of 21 lots of peanut butter, sold to institutional and commercial customers in containers ranging from 5 to 50 pounds. All of the recalled peanut butter was produced on or after July 1, 2008.

The recall comes on the heels of a report from the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health that tied the strain of Salmonella isolated from an opened jar of King Nut peanut butter to the national Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that has sickened at least 410 people in 43 states. PCA was the manufacturer of King Nut peanut butter.

All of the peanut butter recalled by PCA was manufactured in its Blakely, GA facility for institutional and commercial distribution – to food service operations, cafeterias, long term care facilities, hospitals, and food processors. PCA does not package its peanut butter for retail distribution.

The following lot numbers and products have been recalled. PCA is asking its customers to remove all of these products from distribution, and has set up a special toll-free hotline (1-877-564-7080) to respond to questions from its customers.

Lot Numbers

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

Product List

Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter: Stock #551000, Pack Size 6 ct / 5 lb
Crunchy Stabilized Peanut Butter: Stock #551006, Pack Size 6 ct / 5 lb
Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter: Stock #551020, Pack Size 35 lb
Natural Course Peanut Paste: Stock #551022, Pack Size 35 lb
Old Fashioned Creamy Peanut Butter with 1% Salt: Stock #551025, Pack Size 35 lb
Crunchy Natural Peanut Butter: Stock #551035, Pack Size 35 lb
Creamy Natural Peanut Butter: Stock #551040, Pack Size 35 lb
Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter: Stock #551050, Pack Size 50 lb
Dark Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter: Stock #551050-D, Pack Size 50 lb
Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter with Monodiglyceride: Stock #551051, Pack Size 50 lb
Crunchy Stabilized Peanut Butter: Stock #551053, Pack Size 50 lb
Peanut Butter Variegate: Stock #551072, Pack Size 45 lb

PCA is continuing to cooperate with FDA, CDC and state agencies in their investigation of this outbreak.

The company has not identified any of its customers by name, except for King Nut, which recalled all peanut butter manufactured for it by PCA even before Minnesota confirmed that the Salmonella it found in an opened jar of peanut butter was identical genetically to the outbreak strain.

We can expect additional recalls as PCA's other customers begin to chime in. While the two recalls announced so far have been limited to institutions and commercial customers, the next tier of announcements could easily include some retail products.

Peanut Corporation of America Silent on Latest Peanut Butter Outbreak News

January 13, 2009

Yesterday, CDC announced that the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak now encompasses 43 states and has sickened at least 410 people. The only unaffected states are Alaska, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, and South Carolina.

Yesterday, the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health announced that the strain of Salmonella recovered from an opened jar of King Nut peanut butter found at a long-term care facility in that state was identical genetically to the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium.

Yesterday, Martin Kanan, President and CEO of King Nut Companies, clarified that his company only distributed peanut butter in 7 states – Ohio, Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, Arizona, Idaho and New Hampshire. The company has already recalled all King Nut peanut butter with lot codes beginning with "8" and all Parnell's Pride peanut butter.

Yesterday, Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) – the manufacturer of the peanut butter – said . . . nothing.

PCA's official position is stated in its January 10th Press Release:

"To date, the only conclusive testing linking salmonella to PCA's product was done on an open container of the peanut butter in a large, institutional kitchen. The history of the handling of that open container is unknown at this time."

While PCA is cooperating with FDA and CDC in their outbreak investigation, it's clear that the company does not intend to recall any products unless and until Salmonella is found either in an unopened jar of its peanut butter, or the outbreak strain is found in its production environment.

The wide gulf between the number of states in which King Nut distributed peanut butter and the number of states affected by this outbreak is manifest evidence that there is other contaminated product in circulation. Whether the contamination is limited to institutional jars of peanut butter, or whether other products that contain peanut butter – cookies, candies, ice cream – are also affected, remains to be determined.

Costco Recalls Crunch Pak Organic Apple Slices

January 13, 2009

Costco Wholesale Corporation has recalled all lots of Crunch Pak Organic Apple Slices (Costco Item #32858) purchased in its Mid-West stores between December 26, 2008 and January 12, 2009, due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

No illnesses have been reported, but Costco advises that environmental cross-contamination with Listeria monocytogenes may have taken place.

Costco urges anyone who purchased Crunch Pak Organic Apple Slices between the specified dates should return the package to the store for a full refund.

Please contact Tony Freitag at (509) 782-7753 or your local Costco warehouse for more information.

Bits & Pieces: Price Chopper Recalls Artisan Bread

January 13, 2009

Price Chopper has recalled Fresh Artisan Bread that was baked in its Highland Park, Wilkes-Barre, PA store (store #222) after small particles from the oven's ceiling were found on the surface of a few loaves of bread.

All varieties of Fresh Artisan Bread sold in the Highland Park store from January 5th to January 8th are included in the recall notice.

Customers who purchased these breads are asked to return them to the store for a full refund.

Allergy Alert: UK Zabaglione Ice Cream Recalled

January 13, 2009

Lakenham Creamery Ltd. has withdrawn two batches of Norfolk County Zabaglione Ice Cream (500mL) due to the presence of undeclared peanut oil, according to the UK Food Standards Agency.

The affected Ice Cream bears batch codes 03/01/2010 and 04/05/2010, and a Best Before date of 04/05/2010.

Individuals who are allergic to peanuts are at risk of experiencing a severe allergic reaction if they consume even a small quantity of the recalled ice cream.

Consumers who purchased one of the recalled batches Norfolk County Zabaglione should check the notice posted at their retail store for instructions on how to return or dispose of the product.

Café Favorite Sandwiches Recalled

January 12, 2009

Café Favorites has recalled Day Code 08343 of its Whole Grain 5" Super Sub sandwiches after FDA determined that the sandwiches might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall followed a routine FDA inspection of the company's production facility.

The sandwiches are labeled with Product Code 02384 and a Day Code beginning with 08343, and are packaged in 5.4 ounce portions, 84 sandwiches/case. They were sold to distributors in Maryland, Florida, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. 

The Maryland distributor sold some of the sandwiches to one school in the Washington, DC area. None of the other sandwiches left the distribution facilities.

Listeria monocytogenes is especially dangerous to the elderly, pregnant women, very young children and people with impaired immune systems. Students and staff in DC-area schools who brought home a sandwich matching this description should discard the sandwich if the day code begins with 08343.

This is the second recall of a ready-to-eat food since the beginning of January due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Last week, burritos manufactured by Home Fresh Sandwich Distributors were recalled after USDA detected the pathogen in a sample.

Breaking News: Minnesota Confirms Outbreak Strain in Peanut Butter

January 12, 2009

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Department of Health announced late today that the strain of Salmonella isolated from an opened jar of King Nut peanut butter is a genetic match for the Salmonella Typhimurium that has sickened at least 399 people in 42 states.

State investigators obtained the 5-pound jar of peanut butter from the food service department of a long-term care facility in Minnesota. A resident of that facility is one of the victims of this outbreak. 

King Nut already had initiated a precautionary and voluntary recall of their peanut butter, which was manufactured for them by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). Neither King Nut nor PCA has commented on this latest finding as yet.

Federal and state agencies are still working to find the outbreak strain in an unopened jar of the implicated peanut butter, in order to eliminate the remote possibility that the Minnesota finding might be due to cross-contamination in the food service kitchen.

What Goes Into Peanut Butter – Besides Salmonella?

January 12, 2009

The first recorded Salmonella outbreak to be linked to commercial peanut butter occurred in Australia in 1998. The peanut butter, which was contaminated with Salmonella Mbandaka, infected 15 individuals in South Australia. Roasted peanuts were implicated as the source of the contamination.

In 2001, contaminated "Asian style" peanuts were the culprit in an international outbreak of salmonellosis. Australia recorded more than 100 illnesses due to the imported peanuts; cases also were reported in Canada, Scotland, Wales and England. The peanuts were contaminated with several different types of Salmonella.

Peanut butter manufactured by ConAgra (Peter Pan and Great Value) was the source of a seven-month long Salmonella Tennessee outbreak that sickened at least 425 people in 44 US states during 2006/2007. ConAgra blamed the contamination on a leaky roof and faulty sprinklers.

And now, investigators are once more pointing the finger at peanut butter as the source of a national Salmonella outbreak. The Minnesota Departments of Health and Agriculture have presumptively identified King Nut brand peanut butter, manufactured by Peanut Corporation of America, as the culprit. The state expects confirming lab test results to be available early this week.

How does a shelf-stable, practically indestructible food such as peanut butter become a reservoir for Salmonella? To answer that question, we need to follow the progress of a batch of peanuts from farming the nuts to filling the jars.

Growing, harvesting and drying

The peanut flower is shy. After it blooms and wilts, the flower buries its head in the soil, where the peanut forms – underground. The nuts are harvested mechanically, and then mechanically dried.

Cleaning and storage

The peanuts, still in their shells, are cleaned mechanically. Some of the dirt and debris are removed using blowers; some is removed using mechanical filters, graders, and magnets. The raw peanuts are stored in silos and warehouses.

Shelling and grading

The peanuts are passed through a series of rollers to crack and separate the shells. The nuts are shaken, sieved and blown to separate the broken shells from the nuts. Next, the nuts are graded based on size, color, defects, spots and broken skin, and are transferred into bulk containers or sacks for shipment to peanut butter manufacturers.

Roasting, cooling and blanching

Nuts that are destined for peanut butter are dry roasted at temperatures that are more than adequate to kill Salmonella. After roasting, the nuts are air-cooled and passed through a gravity separator to remove any debris. Then they are blanched either by heat or water to remove the skin. Water-blanched nuts must be dried before mechanical screening and inspection; heat-blanched nuts proceed immediately to this step.

Grinding and packaging

Blanched nuts are fed into a grinder, along with other ingredients permitted under FDA's standard of identity for peanut butter – usually salt, hydrogenated oil and dextrose – and ground in two stages to obtain the desired consistency. The ground mixture – now peanut butter – feeds into a hopper for cooling and further mixing, before being automatically packed into jars.

There are several on-ramps by which Salmonella can gain access to the road that leads from harvest to hopper.

• The peanuts, which grow underground, may become contaminated during growth or harvest if Salmonella-infected animals gain access to the fields or if contaminated manure is used as fertilizer.
  
• Rodents and birds could gain access to the peanuts while they are stored in bulk silos or warehouses, and contaminate the nuts with their droppings.
  
• Dust generated during mechanical grading and cracking can spread from the "raw" side of a production operation to the "roasted" side, contaminating the roasted nuts.
  
• Rodent or bird infestation in the production facility.
• Poor equipment or building maintenance, as apparently happened in the ConAgra incident.
• One of the other ingredients – added to the peanuts during grinding – may be a source of contamination.
  

Regardless of how Salmonella enters the production environment, once there, it can be difficult to eliminate during routine cleaning and disinfection. A small amount of food debris or oil, – lodged in a small crevice or dead end of production equipment – can harbor Salmonella, shedding a few cells sporadically into the peanut butter as it passes the contaminated area. 

Finding the source of the contamination in the production plant may be a tough nut to crack, but there's a good chance it will be found. Where the contaminant originated, and how long it's thought to have been lurking, will be a major determinant of the scope of any additional recalls.

Bits & Pieces: Minced Lamb Recalled in Australia

January 12, 2009

Woolworths Limited has recalled some packages of Woolworths label Regular Minced Lamb due to the possible presence of plastic bits in the meat.

The minced lamb was sold in variable weight Styrofoam trays covered with plastic cling film. The contents of each package weigh approximately 700 grams.

The minced lamb was packaged in the Woolworths Meat Department at Brookside Supermarket, Osborne Road, Mitchelton, Qld 4053 on Thursday, January 8th, and bears a Use by date of 10/01/09. 

The recall affects minced lamb from this one location only. Customers who purchased the recalled item should return it to the store for a refund.

Allergy Alert: Charlie's Yogurt Parfait Recalled

January 11, 2009

The manufacturer of Charlie's brand yogurt parfait products, Triple B Corporation (dba S.T. Produce, Seattle, WA) has recalled several varieties of Charlie's brand Yogurt Parfait due to the presence of undeclared walnuts and almonds.

The following products have been recalled:

• Peach and Pineapple Yogurt Parfait: UPC 0-45009-06747-0
  
• Pineapple Blueberry Yogurt Parfait: UPC 0-45009-06748-7
  
• Mixed Berry Parfait: UPC 0-45009-06766-1
  
• Strawberry Blueberry Yogurt Parfait: UPC 0-45009-06787-6
  
• Pineapple Strawberry Yogurt Parfait: UPC 0-45009-06788-3
  
• Mixed Pack Parfait: UPC 0-45009-08084-4, contains 6/8.5 oz yogurt parfaits – 2 each of mixed berry, strawberry & blueberry, and pineapple & peach.
  

The individual yogurt parfait flavors are packaged under the Charlie's label in 8.5 ounce, clear plastic package cups with a Use by date of 1-12-09 through 1-15-09 stamped on the side. The Mixed Pack parfaits are sold in a cardboard carton variety pack.

The recalled products were distributed in Washington and Oregon in retail stores and delis, including Kroger's QFC stores.

No illnesses have been reported so far. Nevertheless, individuals who are allergic to nuts may experience a severe allergic reaction as a result of consuming these yogurt parfaits.

According to the recall notice the problem arose due to a "... temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes." Production has been suspended until the problem is corrected to the satisfaction of the company and the FDA.

Consumers who have purchased the Charlie's products mentioned in this recall notice are encouraged to return them to the store for a full refund. For more information, please contact the company directly at (206) 625-1412.

Peanut Corporation Expresses "Deep Concern" Over Salmonella Outbreak

January 11, 2009

Peanut Corporation of America, the manufacturer of the King Nut peanut butter that has been linked through epidemiological evidence to the national Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak, released the following statement late yesterday evening:

"Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) today expressed its deep concern about the apparent finding of salmonella in a container of one of its products distributed in Minnesota, and its commitment to continue working with U.S. government and independent laboratories on a thorough investigation.

PCA is the manufacturer of the peanut butter distributed by King Nut to institutions in Minnesota. The salmonella was found in an open container of King Nut peanut butter at a nursing facility, which leaves open the possibility of cross contamination from another source. PCA is working with the U.S Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other agencies to determine whether the current illness outbreak could be at all related to products made in the PCA facility. None of this product is sold at retail or available to the general public.

PCA's facility and products are frequently and rigorously tested for salmonella and other microbiological contamination, including hourly sampling during processing and subsequent analysis by an outside, independent laboratory. No salmonella has ever been found in any of PCA's product.

PCA is cooperating fully with U.S government agencies and independent laboratories in this investigation. To date, the only conclusive testing linking salmonella to PCA's product was done on an open container of the peanut butter in a large, institutional kitchen. The history of the handling of that open container is unknown at this time.

Neither the Food and Drug Administration nor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is prepared at this time to state definitively that PCA's product is the source of the salmonella incident. This investigation is still in its very earliest stage.

PCA will continue to provide updates on its website as this investigation continues."

As we reported yesterday, King Nut already has initiated a voluntary recall for all King Nut brand peanut butter lots beginning with the number "8" and for Parnell's Pride peanut butter, which it also distributes. The Company took this action as a result of the epidemiological data generated by the Minnesota Department of Health, combined with the finding of Salmonella in an opened jar of King Nut peanut butter at a nursing home by the Minnesota investigators. Detailed genetic fingerprinting of the Salmonella should be available early this week.

Efforts are, no doubt, continuing through the weekend to find Salmonella in an unopened jar of King Nut peanut butter. Unless these efforts are successful, or unless FDA detects the outbreak strain in an environmental sample from the PCA manufacturing facility, the agency will have difficulty convincing PCA management to recall its peanut butter based on epidemiological evidence alone.

When it comes to taking responsibility for food poisoning outbreaks, most companies seem to be from Missouri – the "Show Me" state.

King Nut Recalls Contaminated Peanut Butter: Update

January 10, 2009

King Nut has released additional information about its just-announced recall of peanut butter.

The company is contacting all of its customers to request that they stop distributing all King Nut brand peanut butter identified by lot codes beginning with "8". The peanut butter, which was manufactured for King Nut by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), has been implicated in the national Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak.

King Nut also distributes PCA's Parnell's Pride brand of peanut butter, and has asked its customers to remove this brand from circulation as well. King Nut is not the sole distributor of Parnell's Pride.

King Nut has cancelled its orders with PCA, effective immediately. Peanut Corporation of America has not yet issued a statement regarding these developments.