Peanut Corp. of America Recalls Peanut Butter on Salmonella Risk

In the latest recall linked to a foodborne illness, the Peanut Corp. of America (PCA), a peanut-processing company and manufacturer of peanut butter for bulk distribution to institutions, food service industries and private label food companies, has issued a recall of 21 lots of peanut butter, in containers ranging from five to 50 pounds, produced in its Blakely, Ga. processing facility, because it could be contaminated with salmonella.

All affected product was manufactured on or after July 1, 2008, according to PCA. The recalled peanut butter was sold in bulk packaging to distributors for institutional and food service industry use, as well as under the brand names Parnell's Pride and King Nut. PCA is notifying customers who received the recalled product by telephone and in writing.

None of the peanut butter being recalled was sold directly to consumers through retail stores, PCA emphasized.

"We deeply regret that this has happened," noted Stewart Parnell, owner and president of Lynchburg, Va.-based PCA. "Out of an abundance of caution, we are voluntarily withdrawing this product and contacting our customers. We are taking these actions with the safety of our consumers as our first priority."

PCA issued the recall after an open container of King Nut brand peanut butter in a long-term care facility in Minnesota was found to contain a strain of salmonella. The company is working with state officials, FDA and Centers for Disease Control as part of the continuing investigation.

KIng Nut issued its own peanut butter recall last week.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Agriculture, laboratory analyses on the contamination in the opened container of King Nut peanut butter have the same genetic fingerprint as the cases in the national outbreak that has made nearly 400 people ill in 42 states.

On an update posted on CDC's Web site, preliminary analysis of an epidemiologic study conducted by the organization and public health officials has suggested peanut butter as a likely source of the outbreak.