Updated: January 29, 2009
Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) is voluntarily recalling all peanuts and peanut products processed in its Blakely, Georgia facility. In a January 23rd update, the FDA determined “that PCA distributed potentially contaminated products 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 have issued voluntary recalls of their products.

PCA does not sell peanuts or peanut products directly to consumers in stores. The voluntary recall comes amid an FDA investigation into a nationwide salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 500 people in 43 states beginning in September, with the largest number of illnesses reported in November. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. The PCA facility in Blakely, Georgia is not operating at this time.

Originally, the company recalled peanut butter and peanut paste produced from July 1, 2008 to the present. However, because some contaminated products may currently be in freezers, pantries, or on retail shelves, PCA has expanded the recall to include all peanut products produced on or after January 1, 2007, at its Blakely, Georgia facility.

See an updated company recall list by clicking the link below.
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm

For updates see:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html

See more information regarding the Salmonella outbreak by clicking the link below.
http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium/

What is a recall? A recall is an action taken by a firm to either remove a product from the market or to conduct a field correction. Recalls may be conducted on a firm's own initiative, by FDA request, or by FDA order under statutory authority.

How do people catch Salmonella?
Salmonella live in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals, including birds. Salmonella are usually transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal feces. Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal. Contaminated foods are often of animal origin, such as beef, poultry, milk, or eggs, but any food, including vegetables, may become contaminated. Thorough cooking kills Salmonella. Food may also become contaminated by the hands of an infected food handler who did not wash hands with soap after using the bathroom.