Tallahassee Personal Injury Lawyer - Peanut Butter Recall

What to Do If You've Eaten Contaminated Peanut Butter Product

Brian W. Smith — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:44:13 GMT

The number of products that contain peanuts or peanut paste manufactured by the Peanut Corporation of America continues to grow. The list has topped 1,000 affected products and includes many popular cookies, candies and snack bars.

If you have eaten any of these products and have suffered symptoms consistent with salmonella exposure, it is suggested that you go to the Emergency Room or walk in clinic today and tell them what you have eaten and what your symptoms have been. Ask them to test you for salmonella exposure (usually a stool test). If some time has passed between your consumption of the crackers and the salmonella test, there's a chance that it will come back normal, but a test is the best way to determine if you have been exposed to salmonella.

Also, it is important to keep the product that you have eaten (or at least the package). They may need to be tested at a lab. Put them in a sealed container or plastic baggie and keep them in a cool dry place.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Peanut Company Knowingly Shipped Tainted Peanut Butter

Brian W. Smith — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 08:49:43 GMT

Officials at the food plant in Blakely, Ga., responsible for the nationwide salmonella outbreak, knowingly shipped contaminated peanut butter and did not do anything to correct the mold growing on their walls and ceilings. According to the FDA, people became sick or died after consuming food products containing peanut butter produced at the Peanut Corporation of America.

The outbreak, which took place between Sept. 1 and Jan. 9, infected more than 500 people in 43 states, and one person in Canada, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The CDC, along with the Food and Drug Administration, is conducting an investigation. The recent salmonella outbreak may have contributed to eight deaths, according to the CDC.

"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," the FDA said on its Web site.

A report by the FDA released Wednesday revealed 12 instances between June 2007 and September 2008 where the plant’s testing discovered its products were contaminated by salmonella. However, the company still shipped the product.

Upon inspection, mold was found inside the plant, including on the building’s ceilings and walls of the food cooler. It appeared roaches had made the plant their home as well.

The American Peanut Council articulated “shock and dismay” upon learning of the FDA’s report that the Peanut Corp. of America had knowingly shipped contaminated food products.

Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever and cramping. The illness can last four to seven days. About 1.4 million Americans develop salmonella each year and 400 die from it, according to the CDC.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Peanuts Unfit for Human Consumption Were Not Tested by FDA

Brian W. Smith — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 08:08:13 GMT

According to an exclusive story from the Associated Press, peanuts exported by the Peanut Corporation of America were found to be contaminated, and were returned to the United States, weeks before the earliest signs of a national salmonella outbreak that now has been traced to peanuts from a Georgia processing plant.

The rejected shipment - coming over the U.S. border across a bridge between New York and Canada - was logged by the Food and Drug Administration but never was tested by federal inspectors, according to the government's own records.

The chopped peanuts were prevented by the FDA from being allowed back into the United States in mid-September because the peanuts contained an unspecified "filthy, putrid or decomposed substance, or is otherwise unfit for food," according to an FDA report of the incident.

According to the story, the FDA said it could not provide details about the incident. Peanut Corp. of America didn't immediately respond to AP's request for comment. Federal inspectors previously reported they found roaches, mold, a leaking roof and other sanitation issues at the company's processing plant in Blakely believed to be the source of the outbreak.

Our firm is investigating claims of illness from consuming products containing peanut butter and peanut butter paste manufactured by the Peanut Butter Corporation of America. If you, or someone you know, has suffered illness after eating peanut butter products, contact our offices at (866) 735-1102 Ext 515.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Peanut Corporation of America Expands Nationwide Recall of Peanut Products

Brian W. Smith — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:31:48 GMT

The expanded recall includes all peanuts (dry and oil roasted), granulated peanuts, peanut meal, peanut butter and peanut paste. All of the recalled peanuts and peanut products were made only at the company's Blakely, Georgia facility. The Blakely, Georgia facility has stopped producing all peanut products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Chocolate Company Recalls Various Candies Containing Peanut Butter

Brian W. Smith — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 21:43:13 GMT

The South Bend Chocolate Company today announced a voluntary recall of certain candy products because they contain peanut butter from Peanut Corporation of America, which may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Nearly 400 illnesses and five deaths have now been linked to a salmonella outbreak that is believed to have been caused by peanut butter and peanut paste. The brand of peanut butter that has tested positive for salmonella and has been connected to the nationwide outbreak, has been voluntarily recalled by its distributor, King Nut Companies of Solon, Ohio. The five pound tubs of creamy peanut butter are not manufactured by King Nut but are made for the company by the Peanut Corporation of America in Lynchburg, Va.

Peanut butter paste manufactured by Peanut Corporation, is also used in peanut butter crackers and other peanut butter snacks sold under the Keebler, Austin and Little Debbie names.

Anyone who suffers symptoms after eating these products should report this to their local health department and should seek immediate medical treatment. It is critical to tell your doctor that you ate one of those products and ask to be tested for salmonella exposure.

If you, or someone you know, has suffered illness after eating peanut butter products, contact our offices at (866) 735-1102 Ext 515 or visit our web site: http://www.injuryboard.com/firms/Florida/Tallahassee/Smith--Vanture-LLP/

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

What To Do If You've Eaten Tainted Peanut Butter Crackers

Brian W. Smith — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:59:46 GMT

Laboratory analyses have confirmed a genetic match between the strains of Salmonella bacteria found in a container of King Nut brand creamy peanut butter and the strains of bacteria associated with a nationwide outbreak osf salmonela. Federal health officials have said that 453 illnesses and five deaths have been linked to a salmonella outbreak that is believed to have been caused by peanut butter and peanut paste.

Officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control said they are investigating a Peanut Corporation of America manufacturing plant in Georgia as the source of the outbreak.

Kellogg Company has recalled its peanut butter crackers that contain peanut butter paste manufactured as a precaution. However, our firm has received several calls from persons who claim to have suffered symptoms after eating those peanu butter products. These products include peanut butter crackers sold under the brand names Keebler and Austin.

If you have eaten any of these products and have suffered symptoms consistent with salmonella exposure, it is suggested that you go to the Emergency Room or walk in clinic today and tell them what you have eaten and what your symptoms have been. Ask them to test you for salmonella exposure (usually a stool test). If some time has passed between your consumption of the crackers and the salmonella test, there's a chance that it will come back normal, but a test is the best way to determine if you have been exposed to salmonella.

Also, it is important to keep the crackers. They may need to be tested at a lab. Put them in a sealed container or plastic baggie and keep them in a cool dry place.

If you, or someone you know, has suffered illness after eating peanut butter products, contact our offices at (866) 735-1102 Ext 515

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Kelloggs Expands Recall on Peanut Butter Cracker Products

Brian W. Smith — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:52:31 GMT

On January 14, Kellogg announced a precautionary hold on the sandwich crackers while FDA and other authorities investigated Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), one of Kellogg's peanut paste suppliers for these crackers. PCA has expanded their earlier recall to include peanut paste and peanut butter, prompting Kellogg to immediately announce this recall and to include the above-mentioned cookie and cracker products.

If you, or someone you know, has suffered illness after eating peanut butter products, contact our offices at (866) 735-1102 Ext 515

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Peanut Butter Sickens Hundreds and Kills at Least 5

Brian W. Smith — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:49:18 GMT

453 illnesses and five deaths have now been linked to a salmonella outbreak that is believed to have been caused by peanut butter and peanut paste. The brand of peanut butter that tested positive for salmonella in Minnesota and has been connected to the nationwide outbreak, has been voluntarily recalled by its distributor, King Nut Companies of Solon, Ohio. The five pound tubs of creamy peanut butter are not manufactured by King Nut but are made for the company by the Peanut Corporation of America in Lynchburg, Va.

Peanut butter paste manufactured by Peanut Corporation, is also used in peanu butter crackers and peanut butter cracker sandwiches sold by Kellogg Company, under the Keebler and Austin names.

If you, or someone you know, has suffered illness after eating peanut butter products, contact our offices at (866) 735-1102 Ext 515 or visit our web site: http://www.smithvanture.com/KingNut/index.html

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

King Nut Peanut Butter Matched to Salmonella Outbreak

Brian W. Smith — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:38:17 GMT

The Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health announced that laboratory analyses have confirmed a genetic match between the strains of Salmonella bacteria found in a container of King Nut brand creamy peanut butter and the strains of bacteria associated with 30 illnesses in Minnesota and nearly 400 illnesses around the country.

Federal health officials have said that 453 illnesses and five deaths have been linked to a salmonella outbreak that is believed to have been caused by peanut butter and peanut paste.

If you, or someone you know, has suffered illness after eating peanut butter products, contact our offices at (866) 735-1102 Ext 515

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Kellogg Company Recalls All Peanut Butter Products

Brian W. Smith — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:57:41 GMT

Kellogg Company has announced that it has taken the precautionary measure of putting a hold on Austin® and Keebler® branded Toasted Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Crackers, Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, and Peanut Butter-Chocolate Sandwich Crackers, due to the salmonella outbreak involving peanut butter manufactured by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA).

FDA and other regulatory agencies have indicated that PCA is the focus of their investigation concerning a recent Salmonella outbreak thought to be caused by tainted peanut butter. PCA is one of several peanut paste suppliers that the Kellogg Company uses in its Austin® and Keebler® branded peanut butter sandwich crackers.

Our firm has received several calls from persons who claim to have suffered symptoms after eating those peanut butter products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith