Since this outbreak was announced two week ago, we have taken in nearly 4,500 phone calls and email requests from nearly every corner of the world seeking information on this Salmonella outbreak. To date we have been retained by nearly 3,000 people and continue to investigate legitimate claims. We presently have a nation-wide class action filed on behalf of non-hospitalized individuals (representing about 95% of the calls to date). However, we have been retained by over 200 people who were severely ill and have been contacted by the families of six people who died after eating possibly contaminated peanut butter. In addition, over 50 lawyers from around the country have referred cases to us or associated with us on cases.
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FDA Update on Peanut Butter Recall
Salmonella found in the ConAgra Plant
As a follow-up to the recent Salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting an extensive inspection of ConAgra’s Sylvester, Georgia processing plant. Samples collected by the FDA revealed the presence of Salmonella. The fact that FDA found Salmonella in the plant environment further suggests that the contamination likely took place prior to the product reaching consumers. Last week, tests by several states identified Salmonella in many open jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter recovered from consumers. In these instances, the Salmonella found in the plant and in the open jars matched the outbreak strain recovered from consumers who became ill.
Recall Status and More Information
ConAgra informed the public that it is recalling all Peter Pan peanut butter and all Great Value peanut butter beginning with product code 2111. The company’s recall extends to products made since December 2005. FDA’s advice to consumers continues to be not to eat any Peter Pan peanut butter or any Great Value peanut butter beginning with the 2111 product code.
Peanut Butter Toppings Part of Recall
FDA has learned that the ConAgra plant in Sylvester, GA, sent bulk Peter Pan peanut butter to its plant in Humboldt, TN. The three brands described below are part of the original Peter Pan recall. These brands have been recalled and are no longer being sold. However, some consumers may still have these products in their home.
Consumers who have any of the products listed below should discard them. Individuals who are not sure if the purchased product contains the recalled peanut butter topping should contact the store where the product was purchased.
The bulk peanut butter was used to make the following toppings:
* Sonic Brand Ready-To-Use Peanut Butter Topping in 6 lb. 10.5 oz cans. Sonic outlets used the topping until 2/16/07, when the product was recalled.
The topping was used in the following Sonic products:
– Peanut Butter Shake
– Peanut Butter Fudge Shake
– Peanut Butter Sundae
– Peanut Butter Fudge Sundae
* Carvel Peanut Butter Topping in 6 lb. 10 oz. cans. Carvel used the topping until 2/16/07, when the product was recalled.
The topping was used in the following Carvel ice cream products:
– Chocolate Peanut Butter
– Peanut Butter Treasure
– Peanut Butter & Jelly
– Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Sundae Dasher
– Any other customized products containing the Peanut Butter Topping, including peanut butter flavored ice cream in ice cream cakes
* J. Hungerford Smith Peanut Butter Dessert Topping in 6 lb. 10 oz. cans: This topping may be used by retail and restaurant outlets throughout the United States but is not available for direct purchase by the public.