Salmonella Poisoning Traced to Georgia Peanut Butter Plant
Georgia has been traced as the source of contamination for the peanut butter that caused the recent nationwide salmonella food poisoning outbreak. The epidemic is now confirmed to have afflicted 43 states and more than 430 people. Five people in Minnesota, Idaho and Virginia are confirmed to have died while they were suffering from the salmonella infection, although it's not confirmed if the poisoning was the cause of death.
Only this week, Peanut Corporation of America announced a recall of its King Nut and Parnell's Pride peanut butter after scientific tests conducted matched the strain of salmonella in the peanut butter to the one that was responsible for the outbreak. The products were marketed by King Nut Cos, which asked retailers to remove the brands of peanut butter from their shelves. The butter was not available for sale to the general public, but was sold to institutions, including restaurants and food companies. Now, the Washington Post is reporting that the butter was made at a plant in Blakely, Georgia. Kellogg has already announced a recall of its Keebler and Austin brand peanut butter crackers. King Nut Cos is responsible for supplying peanut butter to the cereal giant, and the move is being claimed as a "precautionary measure" to prevent further contamination.
The salmonella poisoning outbreak reportedly started in September last year, with most reported cases occurring between October and December of 2008. Health officials initially struggled to find the source of the contamination, and finally, tests conducted at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Health traced the contamination to batches of peanut butter marketed by King Nut Cos and manufactured by Peanut Corporation of America. Tests had been conducted on a jar of peanut butter found at a nursing home in Minnesota. Health officials say the outbreak is "complex" and "widespread," and are urging restaurants, food service companies and food processing companies to throw away any batches they may have of the contaminated peanut butter.
Time and again, the Food and Drug Administration and other food safety agencies have been caught napping when it comes to allowing unsafe foods to enter the American market. The past couple of years have seen major recalls of food products due to salmonella and e coli poisoning, including last year's hot pepper-related salmonella scare and hamburger meat patty recalls. Salmonella poisoning, which can necessitate hospitalization in the case of children, elderly and those with weakened immune systems, is entirely preventable if proper methods of handling and processing foods are practiced in the food processing and packing industries.
Food poisoning due to the negligence of a food company or restaurant can cause severe and debilitating illnesses that require hospitalization and days away from work. A personal injury lawyer can help victims recover compensation of these losses. If you have fallen sick as a result of the peanut butter salmonella poisoning, contact a Georgia food poisoning lawyer for a free evaluation of your case.
