Peanut butter found to be contaminated with Salmonella

Cases of Salmonella infection in the U.S. from Sep. 1 to Jan. 9 - CDC

Preliminary laboratory tests by health officials in Minnesota indicate that at least one 5-pound container of King Nut creamy peanut butter may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.

In response, the distributer of the product, which is used by food services in hospitals, cafeterias, schools and other facilities, has issued a recall. The product is not sold directly to consumers.

Nearly 400 people in 42 states have been sickened by Salmonella infection since early September, but the bacteria isolated in Minnesota has not yet been definitively to the outbreak.

As of Friday, 11 cases of the infection have been identified in Washington state, according the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention.

To learn more:

• Read the press release from the Minnesota Department of Health.
• Read the CDC’s update on the Salmonella investigation.
• Read the CDC’s information page on Salmonella.
• Read the press release from King Nut below

Press release from King Nut Companies:

King Nut Issues Peanut Butter Recall

Solon, Ohio (January 10, 2009) – King Nut Companies, a distributor of peanut butter manufactured for them by Peanut Corporation of America, today announced a recall of peanut butter distributed under the King Nut label. No other King Nut products are included in this recall.

King Nut took this action as soon as it was informed that salmonella had been found in an open five-pound tub of King Nut peanut butter. King Nut distributes peanut butter only through food service accounts. It is not sold directly to consumers. King Nut does not supply any of the ingredients for the peanut butter distributed under its label. All other King Nut products are safe and not included in this voluntary recall.

“We are very sorry this happened,” said Martin Kanan, president and chief executive officer of King Nut Companies. “We are taking immediate and voluntary action because the health and safety of those who use our products is always our highest priority.”

“Because we don’t manufacture peanut butter, we will do what we can to get this product out of distribution and will work with the manufacturer to inform others of this problem,” Kanan said. “We also distribute peanut butter from this manufacturer under the Parnell’s Pride brand, although we are not the only distributor. However, we have asked our customers to remove this brand as well.”

Kanan said that King Nut began contacting customers immediately to stop distributing all peanut butter with lot codes beginning with “8,” and immediately cancelled orders with the manufacturer.

Customers are asked to take all King Nut peanut butter and Parnell’s Pride peanut butter distributed by King Nut out of distribution immediately. For more information, go to www.kingnut.com.

King Nut
Q&A

1. How is your peanut butter manufactured?
King Nut does not actually manufacture peanut butter. We also do not supply ingredients for the peanut butter we distribute. Peanut butter distributed under the King Nut label is manufactured by Peanut Corporation of America. Before we distribute their products, we require certification that the product has been tested and is safe. The test includes screening for salmonella.

2. Are other King Nut products affected by this recall?
Absolutely not. We do not manufacture peanut butter nor do we supply ingredients for peanut butter. We package and distribute many other products under the King Nut label and these products are not included in this recall. We regularly test our products for safety and carefully follow guidelines provided by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products exceed standards as called out by the American Institute of Baking during their annual audits. For more information on AIB, please go to www.aibonline.org.

3. What product safety measure do you take?
Before distributing peanut butter, we require certification from our supplier that the product has been tested and is safe. One of the primary tests is screening for salmonella.

4. Where is King Nut Peanut Butter distributed?
Our products are distributed to food service companies that in turn distribute them to institutions such as hospitals, schools, restaurants and nursing homes.

5. What should I do if I have King Nut Peanut Butter?
Stop using it and contact your local food service distributor.

6. Where can I get more information about salmonella?
The best source of information on salmonella is the Center for Disease Control website,www.cdc.gov.

Tags: Food Poisoning, Food-borne illnesses, Product Recall, Salmonella

Category: Digestive System, Infections, Product Recall