Recall Update: FDA Investigates Peanut/Salmonella Scare
January 21, 2009 -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting a very active and dynamic investigation into the source of the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak. At this time, the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state partners have traced sources of Salmonella Typhimurium contamination to a plant owned by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), which manufactures peanut butter and peanut paste that are both distributed to food manufacturers to be used as an ingredient in many commercially-produced products. In addition, PCA peanut butter is distributed to and institutionally served in such settings as long-term care facilities and cafeterias.
Major national brands of jarred peanut butter are not affected by the PCA recall as PCA does not sell peanut butter directly to consumers. PCA only sells peanut butter to institutions and food manufacturers (some of which use it as an ingredient in other processed/packaged foods). Some food manufacturers use PCA peanut butter or peanut paste in baked or processed foods, such as crackers, cookies, cakes or ice cream to name a few. The FDA and food manufacturers are working to identify products that may be affected, and to track the ingredient supply chain of those products to facilitate their removal from the marketplace. Some of the more popular consumer goods and retail companies that are affected by this recall include: Kellogg Company, Clif Bar & Company, Kroger, Meijer, Ralcorp, McKee Foods Corporation, Hy-Vee Inc. and King Nut.
Based on the available information, FDA and CDC recommends that manufacturers inform consumers about whether their products could contain peanut butter or peanut paste from PCA. If a manufacturer knows their products do not contain peanut butter or peanut paste from PCA, they should inform consumers of that.
The FDA says it will closely monitor these events by continuing to work with the firms on the details of their actions, conducting follow-up audits and inspections, monitoring the progress of the firms' actions, working with state and local regulatory authorities, and notifying our foreign regulatory counterparts of products that have now been confirmed as having been distributed internationally.
To find out how your company can best address or even avoid a product recall, read the following stories at www.consumergoods.com:
In the Event of a Recall, Part 1
In the Event of a Recall, Part 2
Can you Survive a Recall?
Beyond Recalls -- Pushing the Traceability Profitability Envelope in Retail
Major national brands of jarred peanut butter are not affected by the PCA recall as PCA does not sell peanut butter directly to consumers. PCA only sells peanut butter to institutions and food manufacturers (some of which use it as an ingredient in other processed/packaged foods). Some food manufacturers use PCA peanut butter or peanut paste in baked or processed foods, such as crackers, cookies, cakes or ice cream to name a few. The FDA and food manufacturers are working to identify products that may be affected, and to track the ingredient supply chain of those products to facilitate their removal from the marketplace. Some of the more popular consumer goods and retail companies that are affected by this recall include: Kellogg Company, Clif Bar & Company, Kroger, Meijer, Ralcorp, McKee Foods Corporation, Hy-Vee Inc. and King Nut.
Based on the available information, FDA and CDC recommends that manufacturers inform consumers about whether their products could contain peanut butter or peanut paste from PCA. If a manufacturer knows their products do not contain peanut butter or peanut paste from PCA, they should inform consumers of that.
The FDA says it will closely monitor these events by continuing to work with the firms on the details of their actions, conducting follow-up audits and inspections, monitoring the progress of the firms' actions, working with state and local regulatory authorities, and notifying our foreign regulatory counterparts of products that have now been confirmed as having been distributed internationally.
To find out how your company can best address or even avoid a product recall, read the following stories at www.consumergoods.com:
In the Event of a Recall, Part 1
In the Event of a Recall, Part 2
Can you Survive a Recall?
Beyond Recalls -- Pushing the Traceability Profitability Envelope in Retail