SoyNut Butter Company Recalls.....All SoyNut Butter and Granola Products

After initiating a recall last week in light of a dozen cases of E.coli O157:H7 infection, the SoyNut Butter Company is now recalling all soy butter and granola products in all sizes and all lot numbers.

Update - 3-10-17 Recall was updated to include Dixie Diner's Club products.  (How was this missed on expanded recall?)

FDA Recall Notice

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm545368.htm
The Soynut Butter Co Expands Recall to All I.M. Healthy Soynut Butters And I.M. Healthy Granola Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
March 7, 2017

SoyNut Butter Being Linked to E.coli Outbreak

CDC is linking 12 cases of E. coli O157:H7 to a SoyNut Butter product by I. M. Healthy, an Illinois.  The cases have occurred in several states.  11 of the 12 are younger than 18.  Six people have been hospitalized and 4 have developed HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome.  If consumers have this brand of soynut butter, they are asked to not to consume it.

SoyNut butter starts with soy beans.  The beans are soaked and then roasted (baked or roasted in oil) The roasted soynuts are ground, blended with oil, and then put in jars.  The presence of E. coli in the product would indicate either an insufficient roasting process or post-process contamination.

CDC Outbreak Investigation
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2017/o157h7-03-17/index.html
Multistate Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to I.M. Healthy Brand SoyNut Butter
Posted March 3, 2017 12:45PM EST

ConAgra Agrees to Plea Deal in 2007 Peter Pan Peanut Butter Outbreak

ConAgra accepted a plea deal of 11.2 million after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge for shipping contaminated peanut butter in a 2007 Salmonella outbreak with over 700 victims.   

From the article:

"The company admitted in the plea agreement that samples obtained after the recall showed that peanut butter made at the Sylvester plant on nine different dates between Aug. 4, 2006, and Jan. 29, 2007, was contaminated with salmonella. Environmental testing conducted after the recall identified the same strain of salmonella in at least nine locations throughout the Sylvester plant".

"As part of the plea agreement, the company admitted that it had previously been aware of some risk of salmonella contamination in peanut butter. On two dates in October 2004, routine testing at the Sylvester plant revealed what later was confirmed to be salmonella in samples of finished peanut butter.  Company employees attempting to locate the cause of the contamination identified several potential contributing factors, including an old peanut roaster that was not uniformly heating raw peanuts, a storm-damaged sugar silo, and a leaky roof that allowed moisture into the plant and airflow that could allow potential contaminants to move around the plant." 

"The company also admitted in the plea agreement that between October 2004 and February 2007, employees charged with analyzing finished product tests at the Sylvester plant failed to detect salmonella in the peanut butter, and that the company was unaware some of the employees did not know how to properly interpret the results of the tests."

The $11.2 million is only a part of the costs.  In addition, ConAgra paid $36 million in civil settlements, $275 million in facility upgrades and new testing procedures, and costs associated with loss in sales and damage to the brand.


Valdosta Today
http://valdostatoday.com/2016/12/judge-accepts-peter-pan-peanut-butter-settlement/
Judge accepts Peter Pan peanut butter settlement
Newsdesk | December 14, 2016 | 0 Comments

FDA Concerned About Caffeinated Peanut Butter

Why put caffeine in peanut butter?   What are the risks?  That is what FDA is questioning about Steem Caffeinated Peanut Butter.  There is a 150MG per serving (2 tablespoons) which is equivalent to a 12 oz cup of coffee.   That can potentially be a lot of caffeine especially if you couple eating the peanut butter with drinking a cup of coffee.

FDA Web Site
http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/FoodAdditivesIngredients/ucm476361.htm
Added Caffeine in Peanut Butter
FDA Statement on Added Caffeine in Peanut butter
December 17, 2015

The FDA is concerned about the marketing of a peanut butter, a food popular with many children, containing added caffeine. The company has indicated in recent media reports its desire to behave responsibly, but has not submitted to the FDA any information about the safety of its use of caffeine in its peanut butter product. On Tuesday December 15, 2015 the FDA sent a letter to the company, STEEM Peanut Butter, Inc., requesting they provide us with information about their use of caffeine in peanut butter. This information will help us determine whether their product meets applicable scientific and legal standards for the lawful sale in the U.S.

Raw Nut Spread Product Recalled After Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

An small Oregon food company is recalling their organic raw sprouted nut spreads after the product was linked to 11 cases of salmonellosis. 
 The process entailed sourcing organic almond nuts, sprout them, dry them, grind them, and add flavors inspired by 'superfoods'.  Sounds good, doesn't it.  But, no reduction step for Salmonella.  In fact, in sprouting the seeds, they may be encouraging growth.

Their website has all the key phrases...artisans, organic, yoga, and of course...SUPERFOODS.  The nuts....handselected, and "free from pesticides, gluten, dairy, soy and processed sugar".   (Oops, might be some Salmonella).

How would the consumers of this product recognize there may be risk?  Nuts are a know source for Salmonella.  But throw in some sprouting time...it multiples the risk.  Drying does nothing to Salmonella, except to prepare it for the long journey in the jar until it reach's someone stomach.


FDA Website
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm475341.htm
JEM Raw Chocolate LLC Voluntarily Recalls Nut Butter Spread Products Due To Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
December 2, 2015

Contact Consumers JEM Raw Chocolate, LLC  (541) 728-3844
Firm Press Release
View Product Photos


JEM Raw Chocolate, LLC (JEM Raw) of Bend, Oregon announced a voluntary recall of its full line of all nut butter spreads within expiry because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which 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 (which may be bloody), 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.

Peanut Butter Recalled Due to Potential Metal Pieces

Hormel is recalling 153 cases of 16.3 oz jars of Skippy Peanut Butter due to a potential for metal.  Metal pieces were found on an in-line magnet, which probably raised concern that some could have made its way to the jars. 

The interesting thing to note is that product was already shipped given that sufficient metal was found to raise concern.  Also 153 cases, about 3 pallets of product, would probably represent less than an hour of production.  These types of issues can arise for a number of reasons...just in time shipping where product is being shipped as it is made.   Another reason can be inadvertent shipping of product placed on hold because of fact there was an equipment malfunction where that product was placed 'on hold' because the malfunction resulted in metal pieces being generated as indicated by the in-line magnet. An indicator that this may have been the case is the production code / Best if Used By date...if this product had just been made, the code would probably be further out than next December.


FDA Recall Notice
Recall: Firm Press Release
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm470175.htm
Hormel Foods Sales LLC Voluntarily Recalls a Limited Number of Jars of Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread Due to Possible Metal Pieces
For Immediate Release
October 29, 2015

The 2007 Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak - Criminal Investigation Still Ongoing

The Peter Pan Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak is a great case study in how Salmonella can contaminate a low moisture, ready-to-eat food.  In this case, CDC reported indicated over 400 cases  linked to peanut butter that had become contaminated due to "inadvertent moisture got into the production process", or a leaky roof.

Although this case is seven years old, it is not over yet for the parent company, ConAgra.  According to a story in the Atlantic Business Chronicle, the plant underwent an investigation in 2011by the Justice Department for criminal wrongdoing.  The company and the US Attorney's office are still in negotiations regarding the investigation, where it is possible that this "will likely involve a misdemeanor criminal disposition under the Food, Drug & Cosmetics Act."

The Chronicle reports that the company has spent $25 million in connection to the investigation.  This is in addition to the 10's of millions spent on upgrading the plant and the 50 to 60 million for the recall itself.  And of course there is the loss in sales over that time period.


Atlantic Business Chronicle
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2014/04/01/2007-peanut-butter-recall-hanging-over-conagra.html
2007 peanut butter recall hanging over ConAgra

David Allison
Editor- Atlanta Business Chronicle
Apr 1, 2014

Seven years after a recall of peanut butter made at a Georgia plant, federal investigations are still hanging over the head of ConAgra Foods Inc.

Two companies vie for Sunland Foods plant

The vultures move in to pick the bones of the Sunland Food company  - two companies are bidding for the food plant after Sunland went out of business due to a Salmonella related recall. 

Hopefully, the lucky buyer has done their due diligence to ensure that the Salmonella is out of the plant.


The New York Times
Canadian Firm Wins Bidding for Peanut Butter Plant
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014/03/26/us/ap-us-peanut-butter-plant.html?ref=aponline&_r=3

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSMARCH 26, 2014, 6:57 P.M. E.D.T.


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A federal judge Wednesday approved a Canadian company's last-minute $26 million cash offer for an eastern New Mexico peanut butter plant that went bankrupt after a salmonella outbreak and nationwide recall.

But the fight for Sunland Inc. appears far from over.

Lawyers for Hampton Farms of Severn, N.C., which won a first round of bidding for the company last week, were laying the groundwork for an appeal throughout the new auction and hearing where the sale to Golden Boy Foods Ltd. was approved.

At Wednesday morning's bidding, Hampton Farms increased its offer to $25.1 million, but only after making it clear it was doing so under protest and without waiving its right to appeal the ruling that forced the second round of bidding. The hearing to approve the sale was also peppered with motions and testimony aimed at appeal.

Hampton Farms bid $20 million for the plant March 20. But just minutes before a court hearing Friday to approve the sale, Golden Boy Foods called the bankruptcy trustee, Clarke Coll, with a $25 million cash offer.

Sunland Foods, producer of contaminated peanut butter, goes out of business

Sunland Foods, the NM producer of organic peanut butter that was responsible for 42 cases of Salmonella in 20 states, closed its doors and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The financial costs of the peanut butter recall in conjunction with an FDA mandated shutdown (as part of FDA’s new powers granted them by FSMA) . The shutdown came after an FDA investigation that had some very troubling findings.

The recall began in September of 2012 when Trader Joe’s peanut butter was linked to a number of salmonellosis cases. While the company began some operations in January, 2013, it was not allowed to resume production of ready-to-eat items until May of 2013.
The insurance carrier for Sunland, is suing Sunland to get out its obligation for covering lawsuits that resulted from the contamination event.

 

Las Vegas Sun
NM peanut butter plant closes, files for Chapter 7
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/oct/13/us-peanut-butter-plant-bankruptcy/
The Associated Press
Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013 | 12:05 a.m.

An eastern New Mexico peanut butter plant involved in a nationwide salmonella outbreak last year has closed its doors and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Peanut butter facility reopens 8 months after Salmonella outreak

After being closed for 8 months due to a Salmonella outbreak in their peanut butter, the Sunland plant plans to reopen. The NM plant issued an extensive recall in September of 2012 ( http://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2012/10/peanut-butter-recall-continues-to-expand.html) after 42 people in 20 states become ill (http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/bredeney-09-12/index.html). The FDA prevented the plant from restarting after their investigation resulted in number of findings including 28 Salmonella-positive environmental samples (http://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2012/11/fda-investigation-report-on-sunland.html). FDA kept the facility closed (http://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2012/11/fda-prevents-sunland-foods-from.html) under new power granted by FSMA. In December, the facility and FDA reached a deal that provided conditions for the plant to reopen (http://news.yahoo.com/deal-reached-reopen-nm-peanut-butter-plant-214723148--finance.html) if the facility met the requirements of the consent decree with approval by the FDA.

So now 8 months later, the facility will begin making peanut butter for sale. I will stick with my brand that was not involved in an outbreak.



New Mexico plant shuttered for 8 months amid salmonella outbreak is making peanut butter againBy Associated Press,
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/new-mexico-plant-shuttered-by-salmonella-outbreak-is-making-peanut-butter-again/2013/05/23/719863cc-c3c8-11e2-9642-a56177f1cdf7_story.html 

May 23, 2013 06:16 PM EDT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The eastern New Mexico peanut butter plant shuttered eight months ago after a salmonella outbreak is back in production, and company officials say their coveted natural and organic butters could be back on store shelves within a month.
Sunland Inc. Vice President Katalin Coburn says the company last week got the go-ahead from the Food and Drug Administration to restart peanut butter operations at its factory in Portales. It is currently in a test phase of production, she said.

“The restart of the plant is not as simple as turning on a switch,” Coburn said Thursday. “Hopefully we will be back in full production in the next few days.”

The Food and Drug Administration shut the plant in late September after its products were linked to 41 cases in 20 states. Most of those were linked to natural peanut butter the company made for Trader Joe’s.

PCA Owner and employess face prison time for shipping tainted product

Federal prosecutors have filed charges against the owner of PCA as well as several employees for their role in knowingly shipping Salmonella contaminated peanut butter in 2009. This contaminated product resulted in an outbreak of more than 700 illnesses and 9 deaths. It also resulted in one of the largest recalls in US history. The owner now faces 76 charges “with criminal fraud and conspiracy, for his role in what they said was a scheme to ship peanut products known to be contaminated to customers in states across the country” , which can land him in prison for up to 20 years.
The indictment can be viewed here http://www.justice.gov/iso/opa/resources/61201322111426350488.pdf. One of the more colorful emails captured in the indictment is this.

Also facing charges are the Operations Manager and the QA Manager. While we do not know to what extent they were following orders versus actively participating, we certainly can guess that they were not making large sums of money off the transactions compared to the owner and his brother. We can also guess that they did not have the level of knowledge required with regard to the actions they were taking. From the indictment:

So here is an office person that was promoted to the QA manager. Was this promotion based upon her food safety knowledge, or the fact she could execute orders from her superiors. Unfortunately, this person may now face prison time. For what…following orders of an owner who put his own greed above the safety of the people who consumed his product.

While the vast majority of food companies here in the US produce safe food, there are still too many companies who do not put a premium on hiring and developing a well-trained technical support staff, or giving them a voice in making risk-based decisions. And there are still too many companies where the decision makers are inadequately versed in the technical aspects of the products they make, including food safety. Hopefully the outcome of this case will become a shot-across-the-bow for these companies. 

  

Charges Filed in Peanut Salmonella Case
By SABRINA TAVERNISE

Published: February 21, 2013 NY Timeshttp://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/22/business/us-charges-former-owner-and-employees-in-peanut-salmonella-case.html?_r=0

Federal prosecutors have filed criminal charges against the former owner and several employees of a now-defunct peanut company that was the source of a salmonella outbreak in 2009 that killed nine people and sickened more than 700. In a 76-count indictment unsealed on Wednesday, investigators charged Stewart Parnell, 58, the former owner of the Peanut Corporation of America, or P.C.A., with criminal fraud and conspiracy, for his role in what they said was a scheme to ship peanut products known to be contaminated to customers in states across the country.

The salmonella outbreak was one of the deadliest in United States history, resulting in recalls of thousands of products made by more than 300 companies, according to Food Safety News.

FDA Prevents Sunland Foods from Reopening

FDA flexed its new regulatory muscle as granted through FSMA and shut down Sunland Foods, the maker of contaminated Trader Joe's Peanut Butter.  Sunland was planning to reopen the processing facility this week, but FDA suspended the facility's registration due to a 'reasonable probability' that their product could cause serious health problems.  Numerous issues in the facility had been cited (http://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2012/11/fda-investigation-report-on-sunland.html) including FDA's assertion that Sunland knowingly shipped contaminated product.  Sunland denies this claim.  

Now it is up to the company to prove its case in court in order to resume operations.

FDA's decision to shut a facility down begins a new chapter for food processors and their interaction with FDA under FSMA.  Most consumers would probably agree that this facility deserved to be closed.  But we don't know to what degree the facility had made steps to improve since the initial recall back in late September.  (http://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2012/09/supplier-of-trader-joes-peanut-butter.html)  Was Sunland Foods unable to get up to standard in the last 2 months, or were there issues so numerous and/or bad that FDA still deemed the facility a risk to consumers?   What will be interesting moving forward is how FDA will use this new power.  Will it be used as a preventive tool, shutting plants down before the products they produce causes illness?  And if so, to what degree of risk will federal inspectors be willing to accept?  Listeria in a drain?  Salmonella in a product that is not fully cooked?  Or will it be used as a punitive action - a way to make a facility involved in an outbreak prove that it has made the necessary changes?

 

FDA halts company's peanut butter operations

The FDA suspended Sunland's registration over salmonella concerns.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/26/fda-peanut-butter-salmonella/1728017/?sf7473491=1

USAToday Health and Wellness  6:17PM EST November 26. 2012 -
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration halted operations of the country's largest organic peanut butter processor Monday, cracking down on salmonella poisoning for the first time with the new enforcement authority the agency gained in a 2011 food safety law.
FDA officials found salmonella all over Sunland Inc.'s New Mexico processing plant after 41 people in 20 states, most of them children, were sickened by peanut butter manufactured at the Sunland plant and sold at Trader Joe's grocery chain. The FDA suspended Sunland's registration Monday, preventing the company from producing or distributing any food.
The food safety law gave the FDA authority to suspend a company's registration when food manufactured or held there has a "reasonable probability" of causing serious health problems or death. Before the food safety law was enacted early last year, the FDA would have had to go to court to suspend a company's registration.
Sunland had planned to reopen its peanut processing facility on Tuesday and a spokeswoman said before the

FDA Investigation Report on Sunland Foods - Findings Very Troubling

FDA released the findings from the Sunland Food investigation.  This investigation was conducted after Trader Joe's peanut butter, which was made by Sunland, was linked to 41 cases of Salmonella in 20 states.
The findings are very troubling. (Each numbered bullet point references a spot in the report).

1. Company shipped product after their own testing found it to contain Salmonella.  Occurance in 11 lots.
2. Five lots tested and found to be negative by company were actually positive when tested by FDA.
3. 28 environmental samples were found to be positive for Salmonella.
4. The FDA tested and found shelled peanuts contaminated which resulted in Sunland expanding the recall to that product line.
5. Poor employee practice including the lack of hand washing.
6. No records for the documentation of cleaning processing equipment.
7. Reuse of sacks for both raw and finished product without cleaning.
8. Poor plant drainage systems that prohibited good cleaning.
9. Storage of raw peanuts allowed for cross contamination (birds were flying into the uncovered trailers.  Storage conditions also allowed for moisture and pest entry).

FDA Investigates Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney Infections Linked to Peanut Butter made by Sunland Inc.

Posted November 21, 2012
http://www.fda.gov/food/foodsafety/corenetwork/ucm320413.htm

Updates

November 14, 2012 - FDA posts observations from recent inspection at Sunland Inc.  
The FDA has made the observations from its recent inspection of Sunland ^Inc.1 publicly available.  This inspection was conducted between September 17 and October 16, 2012, and became part of the investigation of the Salmonella Bredeney outbreak linked to peanut butter made by Sunland Inc.
During this inspection investigators found that conditions in the company’s facility, the company’s manufacturing processes, and the company’s testing program for Salmonella may have allowed peanut butter that contained Salmonella to be distributed by the company.

[1] The FDA found that between June of 2009 and August of 2012, Sunland Inc. had distributed, or cleared for distribution, portions of 11 lots, or daily production runs,  of peanut or almond butter after its own testing program identified the presence of at least one of nine different Salmonella types (Arapahoe, Bredeney, Cerro, Dallgow, Kubacha, Mbandaka, Meleagridis, Newport, and Teddington) in those lots.  Two of these lots showed the presence of the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney.

[2] Equally important, five product samples collected and analyzed by FDA from Sunland Inc. showed the presence of Salmonella, but had not been identified as containing Salmonella by Sunland Inc.’s internal testing.  Among those products were peanut butter and shelled raw peanuts.  Two of these samples showed the presence of the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney.

Sunland Peanut Butter Recall Impacts Uncrustables

The Sunland Peanut Butter recall continues to drag on. The latest product recalled due to the use of the Sunland Peanut Butter – Smucker’s Uncrustables. Smucker’s points out that the recall only impacts the Uncrustables that were sold for USDA School Lunch Program, and not their other peanut butter related products. In fact, the Sunland product was only used for limited production runs of the Uncrustables. It is also important to not that there have been no illnesses linked to the Smucker’s product.

Companies often supplement their own supply with ingredients produced by others. When this occurs, especially with ingredients to be used in ready-to-eat applications, that purchaser has to make sure that the supplier has a stout food safety program. Companies spend countless millions of dollars establishing a well-respected brand, and can see it tarnished quickly by a less-than-stellar supplier.  

Smucker's Uncrustables sold to schools recalled

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/10/19/smuckers-uncrustables-recall/1644249/

The J.M. Smucker Co. used peanut butter that was produced by Sunland, a company recently linked to salmonella illnesses.
12:44PM EDT October 19. 2012 - USAToday

 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Officials have told school lunch programs across the country to check to see whether they have any Smucker's Uncrustables sandwiches that might contain peanut butter made by a New Mexico company that is being recalled because of potential salmonella contamination.

The J.M. Smucker Co. used peanut butter that was produced by Sunland Inc. and supplied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in "limited production runs" of 72-count bulk packs of the sandwiches that went to schools under the National School Lunch Program, Smucker's spokeswoman Maribeth Badertscher said in an e-mail Thursday.
Uncrustables are pre-made peanut butter and jelly, pocket-like, circular sandwiches.

 The Orrville, Ohio-based company tests all the incoming USDA-supplied peanut butter it gets, and tests finished products before distributing them, and found no problems, she said.

 But out of "an abundance of caution," and working with federal agencies, she said, Smucker's recently notified school customers that they should check to see if they still have any of the crustless frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from the recalled lots, which all have either expired or will expire soon. They should not be served to students, the company said.

 No other Smucker's products contain peanut butter from Sunland or other outside suppliers, Badertscher said. She said she did not immediately know how many sandwiches were involved.

Sunland shut down its plant in Portales, N.M., last month and recalled more than 200 products made under a variety of brand names after salmonella was found in Trader Joe's Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter. Thirty-five illnesses in 19 states have been linked to Sunland, but no illnesses have been linked to the Uncrustable sandwiches.

"When USDA learned of the FDA recall of certain products manufactured by Sunland, Inc., we coordinated with state agencies to immediately notify individual school districts and ensure that recalled products were identified and destroyed," USDA spokeswoman Alyn Kiel said in an e-mail.

The Smucker's recall was first reported by Food Poisoning Bulletin, a website published by Minneapolis-based food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Sunland Recall Expands Again, Now Includes In-shell Peanuts

The Sunland Food Recall was once again expanded to include in-shell peanut products produced at their Peanut Processing Facility.  This expansion was done as part of the on-going investigation.  According to the CDC, there have been 35 illnesses linked to the Trader Joe brand of peanut butter.(http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/bredeney-09-12/index.html).  No other products have been found to have caused illness, so the expansion of the recall is due to what investigators are discovering in the two plants.

Other companies also continue to recall products with products supplied by Sunland. (below)
 
Sunland, Inc. Announces Voluntary Extension of Ongoing Recall To Include Raw and Roasted Shelled and In-Shell Peanuts Due to Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323824.htm?source=govdelivery


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 12, 2012 - Sunland, Inc. today announced that it is extending its ongoing voluntary recall to include raw and roasted shelled and in-shell peanuts processed in its Peanut Processing Plant because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Specifically, the recall is being extended to include raw and roasted peanuts, both in-shell and shelled, which were processed in its Peanut Processing Plant located in Portales, New Mexico, and which are within their current shelf life or have no stated expiration date.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), 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 original recall initiated by the Company on September 24, 2012, included peanut butter and other nut butter products produced in a separate building from where raw and roasted peanuts are processed. The reason for the initial voluntary recall was the potential for the recalled products to be contaminated with Salmonella. At that time, twenty-nine (29) people had reported Salmonella Bredeney PFGE matching illnesses in approximately eighteen (18) states, and of those who had been interviewed at that time, twelve of fourteen reported having eaten the same single product made by the Company. Since the recall was announced, additional confirmed illnesses have been reported. As of October 5, 2012, the total number of confirmed illnesses reported was thirty-five (35). The most current information available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regarding confirmed illnesses is available at their website: http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/bredeney-09-12/index.html1

The extension being announced today is the result of the continued joint investigation by the Company and FDA. The Company has ceased the production and distribution of all products from both its Peanut Butter Plant and its Peanut Processing Plant while FDA and the Company continue their investigation.

The raw and roasted peanuts available to retail customers were distributed primarily under the Company’s own label and were distributed primarily to produce houses and nationally to numerous large supermarket, grocery and retail chains. The products also were available for purchase on the internet. The roasted and roasted/salted peanuts being recalled were distributed during the six month period prior to the recall date (April 12, 2012 – October 12, 2012), and will have best by/expiration dates on the packaging from October 12, 2012 through April 12, 2013. The raw peanuts being recalled (shelled and in-shell), were distributed during the twelve months prior to the recall date (October 12, 2011 – October 12, 2012), and will have either best by dates from October 12, 2012 through October 12, 2013 on the packaging, or a “Crop Year” marking on the package of 2011 or 2012, up to and including October 12, 2012.

Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are urged not to eat them and to return products to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them immediately. The “Best-If-Used-By” date or product expiration date is printed on the packaging. The UPC used to identify the recalled products is located below the bar code on all products. In-shell peanuts that were sold in 2, 5 and 10 pound mesh bags (raw, roasted and salted/roasted), do not include an expiration date on the mesh bags. All such products should not be eaten and should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund or disposed of immediately. All expired products should be discarded. Customers who purchased products directly from the Company’s website should discard the products and contact the Company at 1-866-837-1018.

Consumers can contact the Company at 1-866-837-1018 for information on the recall. This toll-free number is operational 24 hours a day.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The most current information available from FDA is posted at the following website: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/CORENetwork/ucm320413.htm2

The specifics of the affected products are set forth below. Products being added to the list for the first time appear in the first table. All previously identified products follow in the second table.

Creative Energy Foods, Inc. Recalls Ridgebar Brand Nutrition Bars Due to Possible Health Risk Associated With Sunland Inc. Peanut Products
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323818.htm?source=govdelivery

Due to Sunland Peanut Butter Recall, AdvancePierre Foods Initiates Voluntary Recall of Select Frozen Peanut Butter Products
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323800.htm?source=govdelivery

Lin-Mar Partners Recalls Roasted Peanut With Chocolate and Peanut Butter Trail Longhorn Bars Because of Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323803.htm?source=govdelivery

Purefit Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall of Purefit Peanut Butter Crunch Bars Because of Possible Salmonella Contamination
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323825.htm?source=govdelivery

General Mills Voluntarily Recalls Limited Number of Cascadian Farm Snack Bars Containing Peanuts
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323308.htm?source=govdelivery

Sunland Foods expands recall in light of Salmonella positive envrionmental samples

The peanut butter recall expanded again as Sunland Foods is recalling all products made in its manufacturing plant after March 1, 2010. The initial recall was started when peanut butter made for Trader Joe's was linked to a Salmonella outbreak. That outbreak includes 35 illnesses in 19 states.

The expanded recall includes close to 240 different products and encompasses 2 ½ years of production. The decision to expand the recall comes after investigators found Salmonella in the processing environment as well as in the product.  Impacted retailers now include Safeway, Target, and Whole Foods.

Why would the recall be expanded? After doing the sampling/testing of the processing environment, the FDA determined that the facility had a contamination issue in the facility as evidenced by the positive environmental samples. To push the recall so far back in time may be due to the fact there were inadequate controls in place to control Salmonella - including proper sanitation of the processing environment and environmental monitoring systems demonstrating control.

 As we know, Salmonella can exist for long periods of time in dry environments. If there is no evidence, or inadequate evidence, that the processing environment was properly cleaned over time and there was inadequate evidence that monitoring/testing was completed to verify that cleaning, they may have concluded that there is the potential risk of more products being contaminated over a longer period of time. A case of ‘how do you know?’. One can see the questions being asked during an investigation such as this – how do you know this contamination wasn’t here for a long time? How do you know that employees were properly cleaning? How do you know the right concentration of sanitizer was being applied? How do you know that the cleaning being done was actually controlling Salmonella? This is where record keeping and verification procedures are critical. A little paranoia also helps.

FDA records indicate that in 2010, an investigation found "objectionable conditions", but these were not significant enough to warrant action.

 Sunland, Inc. Announces Voluntary Expansion of Ongoing Recall To Include All Products Manufactured in its Peanut Butter Plant After March 1, 2010 Due to Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm322747.htm?source=govdelivery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 4, 2012 – Sunland, Inc. today announced a voluntary expansion of its ongoing recall of all products manufactured in its Peanut Butter Plant because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Specifically, the recall is being expanded to include all products manufactured in its Peanut Butter Plant after March 1, 2010.The scope of the initial recall covered one hundred one (101) products manufactured between May 1, 2012 and September 24, 2012. The expanded recall adds forty-nine (49) products that are currently within the manufacturer’s recommended shelf-life, that is, the “Best-If-Used-By” dates have not expired. The expanded recall also adds ninety (90) products consumers may still have in their homes which are older than the “Best-If-Used-By Date”. Distribution of many of the products being added to the recall was discontinued some time ago. The expanded recall covers all previously identified Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, Cashew Butter, and Tahini products as well as Roasted Blanched Peanut Products. New product categories being added to the list are several varieties of flavored butters and spreads, including Thai Ginger Butter, Chocolate Butter and Banana Butter.

The Company is voluntarily expanding the recall to cover all products manufactured in its Peanut Butter Plant since March 2010 because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), 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. Symptoms of Salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. However, in some cases, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient requires hospitalization. Older adults, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness from Salmonella infection.

Peanut Butter Recall Continues to Expand

The Sunland peanut butter recall that was linked to the Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Salmonella outbreak continues to expand. Sunland is recalling about 100 different products. This has also triggered other recalls where companies have used this product as an ingredient. To date, only the Trader Joe’s product has been linked to illnesses. From the FoodSafety.gov website – 

Sunland, Inc. today announced an expansion of its voluntary recall of its Almond Butter and Peanut Butter, to include its Cashew Butter, Tahini and Roasted Blanched Peanut Products. This recall is limited to products manufactured between May 1, 2012 and September 24, 2012.

While there has been no word as to the direct cause, we know that Salmonella has been a troublesome issue for nut based products. For one, Salmonella is much more heat resistant in dry products. While in moist products such as meat and bread, Salmonella can be eliminated with lower temperatures. In dry products such as nuts, temperatures in the 230F range are needed. So there have been issues with nut processors under-processing nuts resulting in Salmonella contaminated product. Another issue is that Salmonella can survive in dry environments for extended periods of time. So if Salmonella contaminates the process environment, it can remain there for months. Being around for a long time, Salmonella can then have extended opportunity to contaminate the product. Facilities can have a difficult time eliminating Salmonella contamination once it gains a foothold in a processing plant.

So why does this recall continue to expand?    If they can't decisively link the contamination to one lot of product, it will mean there is the possibility that more product may be contaminated.  So out of abundance of caution, companies will recall any products that were made in this facility, whether as an ingredient or as a finished product. This includes all products, both nut and seed based items. The latest recalls include peanut butter crackers and Crisp Mix.  (See Below)

If consumers have any of the recalled product, they should either dispose of the product or return to the store where they purchased it.


Peanut butter recall linked to salmonella illnesses now includes major retailers
By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, October 1, 11:57 AM Printed in Washington Post.comhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/peanut-butter-recall-linked-to-salmonella-illnesses-now-includes-major-retailers/2012/10/01/603224be-0bdc-11e2-97a7-45c05ef136b2_story.html

WASHINGTON — A New Mexico company has expanded its recall of peanut butter and almond butter to include cashew butters, tahini and blanched and roasted peanut products.

Sunland Inc. sells its nuts and nut butters to large groceries and other food distributors around the country. The company recalled products under multiple brand names after salmonella illnesses were linked Trader Joe’s Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter, one of the brands manufactured by Sunland.

The federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention says there are now 30 illnesses in 19 states that can be traced to the Trader Joe’s peanut butter. No other foods have been linked to the illnesses, but Sunland recalled other products manufactured on the same equipment as the Trader Joe’s product.

In addition to Trader Joe’s, the recall includes nut products sold at Whole Foods Market, Target, Fresh & Easy, Giant Food, Harry and David, Stop & Shop Supermarket Company and several other stores. Some of the stores used Sunland ingredients in items they prepared and packaged themselves.

Brand names recalled include Archer Farms, Earth Balance, Fresh & Easy, Late July, Heinen’s, Joseph’s, Natural Value, Naturally More, Open Nature, Peanut Power Butter, Serious Food, Snaclite Power, Sprouts Farmers Market, Sprout’s, Sunland and Dogsbutter, among others.

Sunland’s recall includes 101 products, and several retailers have issued additional recalls including items made with Sunland ingredients.

Those sickened reported becoming ill between June 11 and Sept. 11, according to the CDC. Almost two-thirds of those who became ill were children under the age of 10. No deaths have been reported.

Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 hours to 72 hours after infection. It is most dangerous to children, the elderly and others with weak immune systems.


FDA Investigates Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney Infections Possibly Linked to Trader Joe's Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter
Posted September 30, 2012 http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/CORENetwork/ucm320413.htm

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney infections. We are moving quickly to learn as much as possible and prevent additional people from becoming ill. We recognize that people will be concerned about this outbreak, and we will continue to provide updates and advice. 

Supplier of Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Issues Recall Notice (More Brands and Lots)

Sunland Foods, maker of the Trader Joe's Peanut Butter that was recalled, has issued a recall that impacts a number of different brands and coveres a period of approximately 5 months.


FDA Recall -- Firm Press Release

Sunland, Inc. Announces Voluntarily Limited Recall of Almond Butter and Peanut Butter Products Due to Possible Health Risk

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm320647.htm?source=govdelivery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 24, 2012 - Sunland, Inc. today announced a voluntary limited recall of its Almond Butter and Peanut Butter products, manufactured between May 1, 2012 and September 24, 2012, because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experiencef ever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), 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 voluntary recall was initiated after learning that between June 11, 2012 and September 2, 2012, twenty-nine people reported Salmonella Bredeney PFGE matching illnesses in approximately 18 states, including Washington, California, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Virginia, Connecticut, New Jersey and Maryland, according to a report issued on September 22, 2012 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"There is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our customers, particularly the many families who enjoy our peanut butter everyday. While FDA, CDC, and State Health Agencies investigate to confirm the cause of illnesses reported, as a precautionary step, we have decided to voluntarily recall our Almond Butter and Peanut Butter products manufactured between May 1, 2012 and September 24, 2012. If you purchased these products, do not eat them. Please return the product to your supermarket for a full refund or dispose of it."

Statement of Jimmie Shearer, President and CEO of Sunland, Inc.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). No other Sunland products are affected by this recall.

The products were distributed nationally to numerous large supermarket chains.

The impacted brands : Archer Farms, Earth Balance, fresh & easy,  heinen's, Joseph's, Natural Value Naturally More,  Open Nature,  Peanut Power, Serious Food, Silly Prices, Sprouts Farmers Market, Sprout's, Sunland, and Trader Joe's (SEE RECALL NOTICE ON FDA WEBSITE FOR EXACT UPC CODES WITH SIZES).

Best-If-Used-By Dates: This recall applies to the above products with Best-If-Used-By Dates between May 1, 2013 and September 24, 2013. (Stamped on the side of the jar's label below the lid of the jar.)


Consumers who have purchased Sunland's Almond Butter and Peanut Butter products with the above UPC and Best-If-Used-By-Dates are urged to discard the product immediately. Consumers can contact the company at 1-866-837-1018, which is operational 24 hours a day, for information on the recall. In addition, a consumer services representative is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM MT at (575) 356-6638.

Media representatives should contact Ms. Katalin Coburn, Vice President for Media Relations, Sunland, Inc., at 805-796-3368.

Trader Joe's recalls peanut butter after linkage to Salmonella outbreak

Trader Joe’s is recalling Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter due to the linkage with a Salmonella outbreak. According to the CDC, an outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney has resulted in 29 illnesses in 18 states. Four individuals were hospitalized.

 Why is Salmonella associated with Peanut Butter? While Salmonella can be easily destroyed by heat in moist products such as meat (one would cook chicken to 165F and hamburger to 160F as examples), in dry products, Salmonella becomes extremely heat resistant. According to GMA’s Handbook for Safe Processing of Nuts, temperatures in the 260F range are needed to destroy Salmonella. Additionally, Salmonella can survive for months in the dry processing plant as well as in dry finished product such as peanut butter. Manufacturers have to ensure that the processes they use achieves the necessary processing temperatures during roasting/cooking (Critical Control Point or CCP) to achieve lethality (bacterial reduction). Additionally, they must ensure that the processing environment is maintained in a way that prevents Salmonella from becoming established and thus posing a risk for post-processing contamination. (This is what occurred with the Peter Pan Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak in 2007).

Trader Joe’s does not make their own products, but sources items from a number of different food processors. According to the Fortune Magazine (article after break – good read), TJ’s is very secretive with who they use as their suppliers. Much of that is due to the fact that these suppliers are making product for other people and TJ is able to get deep discounting through large purchases. Also interesting is that TJ’s is own by a German retail conglomerate. TJ’s has made their niche in buying products that appeal to the hipsters (you know who you are) who are looking for unique products as well as organic or organic-like foods. (organic-like is not really organic, but it appears that way so it is still cool).

 My concern is this – if the supplier of TJ’s peanut butter is making other types of TJ’s peanut butter, or they are making it for other companies, past history would indicate that other codes or even other brands of product may be suspect. If the contamination was a one-time processing issue, then one could see it limited to one lot if there was a verifiable deviation of process during that time frame. If not, then one may expect a larger processing issue or a post-process contamination concern, in which case, other lots may be at risk.

 This will be an interesting case to follow.

FDA RELEASE
Trader Joe’s Voluntarily Recalls Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter Because of Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm320579.htm?source=govdelivery

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 22, 2012 - Out of the utmost caution and care for our customers, Trader Joe’s is voluntarily recalling its Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter because of potential contamination with Salmonella. At this time, no confirmed illnesses directly linked to this product have been reported to Trader Joe’s.

While we have no confirmed information that suggests this peanut butter is unsafe to eat, there is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our customers and crew, and the quality of our products.

In advance of this recall, Trader Joe’s removed the product from all store shelves.

The recalled Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter was distributed to Trader Joe’s stores nationwide. The product comes in a 16 ounce, plastic jar with an expiration date of stamped below the lid. All code dates are included in this recall.

Production and distribution of the item has been suspended while the FDA and the Valencia Peanut Butter supplier continue their investigations.

Customers who have purchased this item are urged to not eat the product, and to dispose of it or return it to any Trader Joe’s for a full refund. Customers with questions may contact Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817.

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 (which may be bloody), 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.
 

CDC RELEASE
Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney Infectionshttp://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/bredeney-09-12/index.html
Posted September 22, 2012 03:30 PM ET
· A total of 29 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney have been reported to PulseNet from 18 states.
· 4 ill persons have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
· Collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that Trader Joe's Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt is a likely source of this outbreak.
· On September 22, 2012, Trader Joe’s voluntarily recalled its Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter because of potential contamination with Salmonella and urges consumers to not eat the product.
· The product comes in a 16 ounce, plastic jar. All code dates are included in this recall.
· This peanut butter product is sold at Trader Joe's grocery stores nationwide and on the internet.
· Trader Joe’s has removed all Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt from sale in its stores.
· Investigations are ongoing to determine if any other foods sold primarily at Trader Joe’s grocery stores are also a source in this outbreak.
· Based on available information, CDC recommends that consumers do not eat Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt and dispose of any remaining jars of peanut butter in the home or return the product to any Trader Joe’s grocery store.
· This is especially important for children under the age of 5 years, older adults, and people with weak immune systems.
· CDC will update the public on the progress of this investigation as information becomes available.

Smucker Peanut Butter recall due to possible Salmonella

J. M. Smucker announced a multistate recall due to possible Salmonella contamination.  There have been no reported illnesses.
 

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm280281.htm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/smuckers-natural-peanut-butter-chunky-recalled-because-of-possible-salmonella-contamination/2011/11/17/gIQAPJw5TN_story.html

The J.M. Smucker Company Announces a Limited Voluntary Recall on Two Specific Best-If-Used-By Dates of 16 oz. Smucker’s® Natural Peanut Butter Chunky Due to Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Consumer
888-550-9555

Maribeth Badertscher
Vice President, Corporate Communications
330-682-3000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 16, 2011 - The J.M. Smucker Company today announced a limited voluntary recall on two specific Best-If-Used-By dates of 16 oz. Smucker’s® Natural Peanut Butter Chunky because it may be contaminated with Salmonella, 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 (which may be bloody), 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. For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at www.cdc.gov¹.

This product was distributed in: Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

The affected product, which is packaged in 16 oz. jars, is as follows:

• UPC: 5150001701 (located on the side of the jar's label below the bar code)
• Production Codes: 1307004 and 1308004
• Best-If-Used-By dates: August 3, 2012 and August 4, 2012
• Chunky product only (not creamy)
• Impacted product would have been purchased between November 8 - 17, 2011

No other products of The J.M. Smucker Company are affected by this recall.

No illnesses related to this issue have been reported and the product is being recalled out of an abundance of caution for consumer safety.

The recall was initiated as the result of a routine sampling program by the company, which revealed that these finished products may contain the bacteria.

Consumers who have purchased Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter Chunky with the above Production Code and Best-If-Used-By dates are urged to discard the product immediately and call the company at 1-888-550-9555 for a replacement coupon. The company may require proof of purchase. Consumers with questions can contact the company to speak to a customer service representative at 1-888-550-9555 between Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA