Peanut Butter Recall
Expanded Peanut Corp. of America on Friday evening announced an expanded recall of peanut butter produced in its Blakely, Georgia, plant and said it is also recalling peanut paste made in the same plant because the products might be contaminated with Salmonella. Federal food-safety inspectors have been focusing on the plant, which makes peanut butter for such institutions as schools and nursing homes, as the possible source of a salmonella outbreak. Late Friday, Kellogg Co. recalled 16 products containing peanut butter, citing possible salmonella contamination. David Mackay, president and CEO of Kellogg, announced the voluntary recall in a statement. He says the company apologizes for the unfortunate situation but says it is needed as part of its commitment to keep consumers safe. The recall includes Austin and Keebler branded Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, as well as snack-size packs of Famous Amos Peanut Butter Cookies and Keebler Soft Batch Homestyle Peanut Butter Cookies. As of 9 p.m. on Thursday, 453 people from 43 states have been reported to have been infected with Salmonella. The outbreak may have caused five deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Peanut Corp. on January 13 announced the recall of 21 lots of peanut butter produced on or after July 1, 2008. Friday's announced recall affects all peanut butter made on or after August 8, 2008, and peanut paste produced on or after September 26, 2008, at the Georgia facility. The recalled peanut butter was sold in bulk packaging in containers ranging in size from five to 1,700 pounds and the peanut paste was sold in sizes ranging from 35 pound containers to tanker containers. None of the peanut butter or peanut paste being recalled is sold through retail stores. "Today, the FDA informed PCA that new product samples in unopened containers tested positive for Salmonella," Peanut Corp. President Stewart Parnell said in a press release announcing the expanded recall. The company is immediately ceasing all production at the Blakely, Georgia, facility. "Our company has worked around the clock for the last week with federal regulators to help identify any potential problems. Our Blakely facility is currently not operating as we continue to work with federal food safety investigators," Mr. Parnell said. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123214106424791481.html?mod=rss_whats_news_us_business
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