WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- The Peanut Corp. of America has recalled all peanuts and peanut products processed at its Blakely, Ga., facility since Jan. 1, 2007.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the expanded recall includes all lots that begin with the number 7, 8 or 9 of dry and oil roasted peanuts and peanut butter, paste, meal and granules. Previously, PCA announced a recall of only peanut butter and peanut paste.
The Georgia PCA plant, which sells its products to institutional and industrial users for service in large institutions or for further processing by other companies, has been identified as the source of a Salmonella outbreak that has resulted in the death of eight people and more than 500 cases of illness. PCA does not sell peanuts or peanut products directly to consumers in stores.
The recalled products were distributed in the United States, Canada, Haiti, Korea and Trinidad.
FDA investigators have alleged the company's own tests identified the presence of Salmonella contamination 12 times in two years, yet the company did nothing to prevent the products' sale for use in making various brands of crackers, cookies, energy bars, ice cream, cereal, candies and dog food products.
