The FDA has confirmed its Office of Criminal Investigations is involved in a Justice Department investigation of the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), ground zero for the salmonella outbreak that has infected 550 patients in 43 states and killed 8.
According to the New York Times, PCA found salmonella in peanut products a dozen times in 2007–2008, but the company retested them until they received clean results—an illegal practice.
The FDA has identified more than 1,000 firms that purchased PCA products, including organic food companies. PCA did, in fact, supply organic peanut butter and peanut products to many natural and organic food manufacturers.
Companies continue to issue voluntary recalls, and the list is expected to grow. Please continue to check the FDA’s searchable list, as it’s updated daily. Scroll down our home page, and you’ll find a tool that allows you to search directly through our site.
My most recent search for natural and organic products revealed some new recalls:
- Granola Kitchens Organic Milk Chocolate Peanuts and many natural snacks
- Genisoy Organic Cinnamon Soy Protein Bars
- Some Kashi granola bars and cookies
- Certain Ethnic Gourmet Frozen Meals
- Publix Greenwise Organic Ambassador Mix and other natural snacks
- Bear Naked All-Natural Appalachian Trail Mix products
- Luna and Cliff bars (additional flavors)
- Some organic peanuts from Orchard Valley Harvest
- Some Follow Your Heart deli products
- Uncle Eddies Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate-Chip Cookies
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
- Lawsuit Filed in Salmonella Outbreak
- HHS Updates Peanut Butter Warnings
The FDA would be right in bringing criminal charges against PCA if the reports are true that they KNEW of the contamination and did nothing. Too many corporations today are allowing contaminations to go unchecked. The reason is PROFIT. It costs too much to clean up the problems, and, besides they might not get caught. Maybe a few criminal prosecutions would make growers and producers think twice before indulging in these acts.
The best way to avoid all of the poisons, engineered genes, and other contaminants in food is to grow your own, organically. Next best thing is to buy from a local farmer you know and can trust.
FayWebb makes a great point: How can we know what is and isn’t safe? And for that matter, how do we even know what is and isn’t organic?
RecycleBill, I read your blog entry. Please note: PCA has established that it processed both organic and nonorganic peanuts. Here’s the recall list: http://www.peanutcorp.com/pdf/PCA%20Expanded%20Product%20Recall%201_18_09.pdf
This explains why PCA’s vendors, including a host of natural and organic food companies, have issued voluntary recalls.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Barbara Feiner
Contributing Editor
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