Based on the CDC’s and FDA’s investigations of the ongoing salmonella outbreak, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services wants consumers to continue taking precautions with products that contain peanut butter.
As of Thursday, 529 cases of salmonella infection have been reported in 43 states.
Do not eat peanut butter products that have been recalled. Please continue to check the FDA’s searchable list of recalled products.
Stay on top of the news. Be advised that the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) has expanded its recall to all peanuts and peanut products produced since January 2007. These include dry-roasted, oil-roasted and granulated peanuts. As the New York Times reported this week, PCA has a history of health and sanitation violations, including mold growth on walls and knowledge that products were contaminated. Congress is expected to hold hearings on the outbreak next month, including testimony from victims and PCA’s president, according to attorney William Marler.
Verify before eating. Postpone eating products that contain peanut butter, such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream, until more information becomes available about specific brands. As we’ve urged in the past, if you’re concerned about a product, call the phone number on the packaging. In some cases, you’ll find info on the company’s web page. Major national brands of jarred peanut butter found in grocery stores are not affected by the recall.
Protect your pets. Some pet foods and treats may contain peanut butter, including dog biscuits and bird food. If you have a recalled pet product in your home, do not feed it to your pet or other animals, and continue to check the FDA’s recall list for pet food. Throw away recalled products, and immediately wash your hands and pet utensils. The CDC has launched a special informational web page on pets and salmonella.
Share the CDC’s hotline number with friends and family members who lack Internet access. They can call (800) CDC-INFO for up-to-date information. Representatives are available 24/7 to answer questions in English and Spanish.
From Our Blog (Chronological Coverage)
- Salmonella Outbreak Hits 42 States
- Is Peanut Butter to Blame for the Salmonella Outbreak?
- FDA Urges Consumers to Avoid Peanut Butter
- Organic Company Voluntarily Recalls Products in Wake of Salmonella Scare
- Second Organic Company Recalls Product Containing Peanut Butter
- More Food Recalls Announced
- Health Valley Recalls Some Organic Granola Bars; Salmonella Source Positively Confirmed
- Lawsuit Filed in Salmonella Outbreak
Did PCA supply organic peanut butter and peanuts? How is it that products that are supposed to be carefully reviewed for compliance with ORGANIC standards could possibly be sourced from a facility that could not grasp the principle of slime and rodents? I somehow find it hard to believe that they had strict pesticide, etc. regulations in place to be producing organic products.
Hi, Michelle:
You’ve raised an excellent question–one that immediately came to mind when I first started covering this story.
As it turns out, PCA sold both organic and nonorganic peanut butter. Here is PCA’s recall list, which cites specific products in detail: http://www.peanutcorp.com/pdf/PCA%20Expanded%20Product%20Recall%201_18_09.pdf
Companies often have organic and nonorganic brands, so it’s not particularly unusual. But PCA’s reputation is now as tainted as its products, so we cannot comment on whether its “organic” products were, indeed, organic. PCA is certainly not representative of companies that follow ethical business practices.
Best,
Barbara Feiner
Contributing Editor
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