January 27, 2009: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed the sources of tainted pet peanut butter products containing Salmonella bacteria. The source is peanut butter and peanut paste produced by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) at its Blakely, Georgia processing plant. PCA sells peanut butter in bulk containers ranging in size from five (5) to 1,700 pounds. The peanut paste is sold in sizes ranging from 35-pound containers to product sold by the tanker container. Neither of these products is sold directly to consumers.
The FDA has determined that 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. Human and pet food products are both involved. Companies all over the country that received product from PCA have issued voluntary recalls of their products. FDA has created a searchable database for these products, which can be found at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm, Identification of products subject to recall is continuing and this list is updated frequently.
Product recalls now include some pet food products that contain peanut paste that were made by PCA. While the risk of pets contracting Salmonellosis is minimal, there is risk to owners from handling these products. It is important for people to wash their hands–and make sure children wash their hands–before and, especially, after feeding treats to pets. The pet food products are listed in this article and are also included in the searchable data base of FDA
Major national brands of jarred peanut butter found in grocery stores are not affected by the PCA recall.
FDA and CDC recommendations include:
Do not eat products that have been recalled and throw them away in a manner that prevents others from eating them.
To determine if commercially-prepared or manufactured peanut butter/peanut paste-containing products (such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream) are subject to recall, consumers are urged to visit the FDA’s website and check the searchable database of recalled products.
For information on products containing peanut butter from companies not reporting recalls, consumers may wish to consult the company’s website or call the toll-free number listed on most packaging. Information consumers may receive directly from companies may or may not be verified by the FDA.
If consumers cannot determine if their peanut butter, peanut butter/peanut paste-containing products or institutionally-served peanut butter contains PCA peanut butter/peanut paste, the FDA recommends that they do not consume those products. People who believe they may have become ill from eating peanut butter are advised to consult their health care providers.
Pet Food Product Recalls Include:
- Avanza Supermarket
- Econofoods (Excluding Wisconsin stores in Sturgeon Bay, Clintonville, Marquette, Holton and Iron Mou
- Family Fresh Market
- Family Thrift Center
- Food Bonanza
- Grreat Choice
- Happy Tails
- Pick’n Save (Ohio stores in Van Wert and Ironton only)
- Prairie Market
- Shoppers Valu
- SunMart Foods
- Wholesale Food Outlet
