As we recently reported, there is a nation-wide salmonella outbreak. It has now reached 19 states.
Sunland Inc. of Portales, New Mexico, the manufacturer of the peanut butter that is linked to the outbreak of salmonella contamination, has expanded its recall to include raw and roasted peanuts, as well as the peanut butter and almond butter.
Federal health officials have detected salmonella in bulk raw and roasted peanuts, produced by New Mexico supplier, and in an associated nut butter facility, linked to an outbreak of food poisoning, which has sickened approximately 35 people. The contaminated products have been sent to major retailers across the country, such as Trader Joe’s, Target, Costco and others. Skippy, Jif and Peter Pan brands of peanut butter are not made by Sunland.
On Saturday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that Sunland Inc. has added raw and roasted shelled and in-shell peanuts, sold in quantities from 2 ounces to 50 pounds, to its recall. FDA inspectors have found salmonella in raw peanuts from the Sunland processing plant.
So far, the outbreak of salmonella Bredeney has sickened 35 people across 19 states, including 8 people who were hospitalized. About two thirds of those affected were children younger than 10 years of age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The illnesses have been tied to those who age Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with sea salt.
FDA inspectors had previously detected salmonella in the plant where the products were manufactured before being sold to Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Harry & David and many other retailers. However, inspectors have just discovered salmonella in the main plant’s raw and roasted bulk peanuts, as well as detecting the strain of salmonella Bredeney in the nut butter plant.
Sunland has recalled everything produced in its contaminated plant since March 2010 and has ceased production and distribution from both the nut butter and peanut processing plants, FDA officials reported.
The number of products associated with the company’s recall has continued to expand over recent weeks, reaching more than 240.
Due to the growing number of salmonella cases caused by the contaminated peanut butter, Flying Food Group has issued a voluntary recall of Starbucks brand Protein Bistro Box, the FDA reported. The products each contain a 0.5 ounce single-serve Honey Peanut Butter squeeze pack, which has been part of an expanded voluntary recall by Justin’s Nut Butter. The Protein Bistro Boxes come in a clear plastic container and the “Enjoy By” date between August 8 and October 6, 2012 is located on the bottom; the squeeze packs have “Best By” dates between July 14 and August 30, 2013, located inside the plastic containers.
California schools have been asked to destroy all peanut butter that is being recalled by Sunland, Inc. due the salmonella concerns. 320 California school districts were sent 2,072 cases of the Sunland peanut butter involved in the recall. There were no reported cases of California students being sickened by the peanut butter.
Six California food banks were also reported to have received 23,040 cases of the affected peanut butter.
Symptoms of salmonella are diarrhea, fever and severe abdominal cramps. Children, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk.
Consumers should not eat any products associated with Sunland and should discard them immediately, FDA officials warned. For a refund, bring the recalled product back to the place of purchase.
Contact one of our Gacovino Lake attorneys at 1-800-246-HURT (4878).
