Peanut Butter Recall FDA Update

The FDA to confirm that the sources of the outbreak of illnesses caused by Salmonella Typhimurium are peanut butter and peanut paste produced by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) at its Blakely, Georgia processing plant.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) using a combination of epidemiological analysis and laboratory testing by state officials in Minnesota and Connecticut, have confirmed that the sources of the outbreak of illnesses caused by Salmonella Typhimurium are peanut butter and peanut paste produced by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) at its Blakely, Georgia processing plant. PCA sells the peanut butter in bulk containers ranging in size from five (5) to 1,700 pounds. The peanut paste is sold in sizes ranging from 35-pound containers to product sold by the tanker container. An important note, neither of these products is sold directly to consumers.

The FDA has determined that PCA distributed potentially contaminated product to more than 70 consignee firms, for use as an ingredient in hundreds of different products, such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream. Companies all over the country that received product from PCA have issued voluntary recalls of their products. The FDA has created a searchable database for these products, which can be found here. Identification of products subject to recall is continuing and this list is updated frequently. Note that pet food products are now being included in the recall. These pet foods contain peanut paste that was made by PCA. While the risk of animals contracting salmonellosis is minimal, there is risk to humans from handling these products. It is especially important for people to wash their hands and make sure children wash their hands after feeding treats to pets.