The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have announced an expanded investigation of a multi-state outbreak of cases of Salmonella Bredeney infections. So far 35 cases have been reported in 19 states (see map further below).
The Salmonella outbreak has been linked to peanut butter, peanuts, and peanut and seed products produced by Sunland, Inc. at its production facilities in Portales, New Mexico, and contained in many food products sold by Sunland and other companies nationwide.
Sunland manufactures many products sold under the brand names of other companies, as well as products sold under its own brand name.
The FDA reports that both Sunland, Inc. and a growing multitude of at least 33 other companies have announced expanded nationwide recalls of products containing peanuts, peanut butter, or nuts or seeds produced by Sunland.
The products affected include everything from raw or roasted peanuts or seeds to peanut butter spreads or peanut snacks, granola bars, cereals, cookies, candy or candy bars, chocolate fudge bars, ice cream or yogurt products, gift baskets, spring rolls, sesame noodles, and many others. A list of recall notices and products affected is provided further below.
Advice to Consumers
The CDC gives the following advice to consumers:
“Contaminated peanut butter and other products containing nuts and seeds may make people sick.
- Based on available information, CDC recommends that consumers do not eat recalled peanut butter and other products containing nuts and seeds, and dispose of any remaining jars [or packages] of these products in the home or return the jars [or packages] to the place of purchase.
- This is especially important for children under the age of 5 years, older adults, and people with weak immune systems.
- Persons who think they might have become ill from eating possibly contaminated peanut butter or other products containing nuts and seeds should consult their health care providers.
- Symptoms include:
- Diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.
- The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment.
- See Signs and Symptoms for more information.”
The FDA cautions that “Children are the most likely to get salmonellosis. The rate of diagnosed infections in children less than five years old is higher than the rate in all other persons. Young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are the most likely to have severe infections. It is estimated that approximately 400 persons die each year with acute salmonellosis.”
“Consumers who show any signs of illness from salmonellosis should consult their health care provider,” the FDA advises.
The FDA states that it encourages consumers with questions about food safety to call 1-888-SAFEFOOD or consult the FDA.gov website.
For a list of the many peanut and peanut-containing products that may be affected and are being recalled, see below.
Update from FDA and CDC on Expanded Recalls and Ongoing Investigation
As reported by the CDC, “On September 24, 2012, Sunland, Inc. announced a voluntary recall of its peanut butter and other products containing nuts and seeds, manufactured between May 1, 2012 and September 24, 2012, because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.”
“On October 4, 2012, Sunland Inc. expanded its ongoing recall to include all products made in the Sunland nut butter production facility between March 1, 2010 and September 24, 2012,” the CDC reported. The company then added 139 products to the recall, bringing the total number of products then being recalled by Sunland Inc. to 240. The expanded recall covered all previously identified Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, Cashew Butter, and Tahini products as well as Roasted Blanched Peanut Products.”
On October 13, 2012, the FDA posted an UPDATE on its website, stating: “The FDA announces that, on October 12, Sunland Inc. expanded its ongoing recall to include raw and roasted shelled and in-shell peanuts sold in quantities from 2 ounces to 50 pounds which are within their current shelf life or have no stated expiration date.”
The expanded Sunland Recall Notice as of October 12, 2012 is posted by the FDA.
The FDA further reports that “Since late September, the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health officials have been investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney infections linked to a peanut butter made by Sunland Inc. As part of the continuing investigation, the FDA has been inspecting the Sunland Inc. production facilities, which include a building in which peanuts are processed and a separate building in which nut butters are made.”
“FDA testing has found the presence of Salmonella in raw peanuts from the peanut processing facility. Environmental samples taken from this building also show the presence of Salmonella. Environmental samples are samples taken from various surfaces in the production or manufacturing facility that would likely harbor bacteria.”
“Additionally, FDA analysis has confirmed that environmental samples showing the presence of Salmonella in Sunland’s nut butter facility have a DNA fingerprint that is the same as the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney.”
According to the FDA, “Sunland Inc. reports that it has ceased the production and distribution of all products from both its nut butter facility and its peanut processing facility.”
…………………………………………………………………………………………… Back to Top…
What Products are Affected and Being Recalled?
The FDA announced on October 13, 2012 that “A list of all products being recalled by Sunland Inc. can be found in the company’s recall announcement.” The products being recalled by Sunland include both its raw and roasted peanuts and its peanut butter and other nut and seed spreads.
The FDA provides a searchable database of press releases related to the Sunland Inc. recall, which list the many products — sold under both under the Sunland brand names and under the brand names of many other companies — that have been recalled so far.
According to the FDA, “Sunland raw and roasted peanuts available to retail customers are 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.”
“Peanut butter and other nut and seed spreads made by Sunland Inc. are distributed nationally under several brand names via supermarket chains and on the internet.”
In addition, the FDA provides on its website, a long list of recall notices issued by other companies that detail a diverse array of products they are recalling, which contain peanuts or peanut products from Sunland.
As noted above, the products affected include everything from raw or roasted peanuts or seeds, to peanut butter spreads or peanut snacks, granola bars, cereals, cookies, candy or candy bars, chocolate fudge bars, ice cream or yogurt products, gift baskets, spring rolls, sesame noodles, and many others.
Here is the list of recall notices provided by the FDA website as of October 13, 2012:
- AdvancePierre Foods – Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches, Peanut Butter and Jelly Graham Cracker sandwiches and Peanut Butter cup products
- Albertsons – Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream and Peanut Butter Chocolate Ice Cream
- Belfonte Ice Cream and Dairy Foods Company – Home Run Sundae Ice Cream, Mama’s Choice Reverse Peanut Butter Pie Ice Cream
- Brookshire Grocery Company – Goldenbrook Farms Peanut Butter Bash Ice Cream
- Chattanooga Bakery Inc. – MoonPie Crunch Peanut Butter product
- Clemmy’s Ice Cream – Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
- Creative Energy Foods – RidgeBar Peanut Butter Crunch, Crunch thinkThin bars
- Fairytale Brownies – Peanut Butter Brownies, Peanut Butter Sprites and Peanut Butter Cookies
- Falcon Trading Company/SunRidge Farms – Sunridge Candy Energy Nuggets, Sunridge Candy Peanut Butter Power Chews, and Sunridge Snack Mix Treasure Trove Mix; Chocolate Brownie Squares, Chocolate Double Decker Chew, Peanut Butter Crunchy with Salt-Organic, Peanut BUtter Creamy No Salt-Organic
- Flying Food Group – Starbucks brand Protein Bistro Box
- General Mills - Cascadian Farm Granola Bars containing peanuts
- Giant Food – Mini Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
- Gretchen’s Shoebox Express - Evolution Fresh Brand Cinnamon Apple & Almond Butter Sandwiches and Evolution Fresh Brand Almond Butter; Starbucks brand Protein Bistro Box
- Harry and David – Crunchy Almond and Peanut Butter, Creamy Banana Peanut Spread, Creamy Caramel Peanut Spread, Creamy Raspberry Peanut Spread and gift baskets containing these items
- JagRma – NuttZo Original 16oz Nut and Seed Butter
- Jer’s Chocolates – Gourmet Peanut Butter Bars and Gourmet Jer’s Squares
- Justin’s – Natural Classic Peanut Butter Jars and Squeeze Packs, Organic Classic Peanut Butter Jars and Squeeze Packs, Natural Honey Peanut Butter Jars and Squeeze Packs, Organic Honey Peanut Butter Jars and Squeeze Packs, Natural Chocolate Peanut Butter Jars and Squeeze Packs, Organic Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Organic Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
- Kilwins Quality Confections – Sugar Free Peanut Butter Fudge
- Late July Snacks - Organic Mini Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
- Lin-Mar Partners – Longhorn Roasted Peanut with Chocolate Energy Bars and Longhorn Peanut Butter Trail Mix Protein Bars
- Luna & Larry’s – Coconut Bliss Chocolate Peanut Butter Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
- Newman’s Own Organics – Peanut Butter Newman-O’s Sandwich Crème Cookies
- Oregon Ice Cream Company – Alden’s Peanut Butter ‘n Chip Ice Cream and Cascade Glacier Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
- PureFit – PureFit Peanut Butter Crunch nutrition bars
- Rich Products Corporation – Jon Donaire Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Cake, TCBY Peanut Buttery Fudge Deep Dish Frozen Yogurt Pie
- Smith Dairy Products Company – Smith’s Peanut Butter Crunch Ice Cream, Acme Peanut Butter Twist Ice Cream, and Ruggles Peanut Butter Crunch and Peanut Butter Brownie Crunch Ice Cream
- Stop & Shop Supermarket Company – Late July Organic Snacks Mini Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
- Talenti Gelato – Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Gelato
- Tofts Dairy – Buckeye Bites Ice Cream
- Velvet Ice Cream – Buckeye Classic ice cream, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup ice cream
- Whole Foods Market - Several varieties of cookies containing peanut butter, Peanut Butter Power Chews and Treasure Trove Mix, Chicken Spring Rolls and Peanut Sesame Noodles
- Xan Confections – Peanut butter chocolate products.”
Consumers should check the FDA Website and the FDA’s Searchable Database of Recalled Products periodically for updates on the products included in the recall.
…………………………………………………………………………………………… Back to Top…
Outbreak of Salmonella Infections in 19 States, So Far
According to the CDC, as of October 5, 2012, “A total of 35 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney [had] been reported from 19 states.”
The CDC Case Count Map at left shows the locations by state where the Salmonella cases reported as of October 5 were located.
The CDC reported on October 5 that “Five new cases have been reported from three states since September 25, 2012: California (3), Missouri (1), and Texas (1).”
According to the CDC, “Among persons for whom information is available, illness onset dates range from June 14, 2012, to September 18, 2012. Ill persons range in age from less than 1 year to 79 years, with a median age of 7 years. Sixty-three percent of ill persons are children under the age of 10 years. Sixty-three percent of ill persons are male. Among 30 persons with available information, 8 (27%) patients reported being hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.”
“Illnesses that occurred after August 27, 2012 might not be reported yet due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported,” the CDC cautioned.
More Information
For updated information on the multiple ongoing nationwide recalls of products containing peanuts or peanut butter see the FDA’s Website.
As to the Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney Infections Linked to Peanut Butter Manufactured By Sunland, Inc., see the CDC’s Website.
For more more updates on news and events of interest to seniors and family caregivers, see the HelpingYouCare® resource pages on News/ Events , including:
- Currently Featured Articles & Videos on HelpingYouCare®
- Latest Caregiving News
- The Expanding Role of Family Caregivers
- Events: Caregiver Conferences & Calendar of Events
- News Feeds
_____________
Copyright © 2012 Care-Help LLC, publisher of HelpingYouCare®. All rights reserved.
…………………………………………………………….. Back to Top…
Recent Comments from our Online Community