The recent recall of peanut butter that had sickened
approximately 575 individuals - killing at least eight -
affecting victims across 43 states, according to the
Chicago Tribune, is also responsible for the recall of more
than 400 products, including peanut butter foods that have
been made for dogs, prompting recalls for pet-owners as
well.
The initial recall occurred on January 13 from a peanut
butter manufacturing plant in Blakely, Georgia, when
hundreds of companies who received bulk shipments of peanut
butter deriving from the Peanut Corp. of America (PCA)
reported a suspected outbreak of peanut butter containing
salmonella. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
confirmed the salmonella risk on January 27 after visiting
the plant on January 9 and beginning an investigation that
would last two and half weeks, according to an FDA public
health advisory.
By the time the recall was issued on January 13 from the
company, at least 400 individuals had been sickened by
peanut butter made in the previous six months from the
Peanut Corp. of America plant. Nearly half of those
sickened were children and the salmonella outbreak had
cost, at that point, the lives of five victims.
As the investigation of the FDA continued, peanut-butter
products continued to be recalled, however, again, on
January 28, another peanut butter recall occurred as part
of a voluntary move by the PCA, according to an article
from The New York Times and an FDA public health advisory.
This time, the recall included products made over the
previous two years, stemming up to January 1, 2007, and
including peanut butter shipped in a range of sizes
anywhere from five pounds up to 1,700 pounds to dozens of
other food manufacturing companies around the country. By
January 28, approximately 500 individuals had been sickened
across nearly all 50 states.
Following the announcement of a second recall, on January
30, the FDA announced it would implement a criminal probe
to investigate the doings of the Blakely, Georgia plant,
which is now closed, as well as allegations against the
Peanut Corp. of America, which will include findings that
the company did not follow procedures to test the peanut
butter for salmonella, that the company sent out peanut
butter that tested positive for salmonella, as well as
peanut butter that was never tested at all for such
contamination.
On February 5, another blow to PCA occurred when the FDA
posted an amendment to its initial investigation stating
that, information provided during the inspections and
provided by the Peanut Corp. of America management was not
consistent with the subsequent analysis of the company‚
records, according to the FDA‚ investigation records. In
other words, the FDA found that PCA allegedly falsified
records during the initial investigation.
According to the Chicago Tribune, "the company has
repeatedly denied any wrongdoing," however, on Wednesday,
Feb. 11, the owner and president of the PCA, Stewart
Parnell, was scheduled to testify before the House and
Energy and Commerce Committee, which is conducting the
criminal probe against PCA. Meanwhile, most products
continue to be recalled, however, the number of individuals
still rises and that number does not include the potential
hundreds of victims sickened by the contaminated peanut
butter who did not report their salmonella poisonings.
Victims Seek Assistance For Peanut Butter Recall
Individuals who have been affected by the salmonella
infections are encouraged to seek medical attention in case
their symptoms worsen and the infection of the salmonella
bacteria causes further harm to a victim.
Additionally, it is imperative that a victim locate a
peanut butter recall attorney to learn more about
developing a peanut butter recall lawsuit as the ability to
retrieve monetary compensation for damages endured by a
poison-victim increase when such litigation is developed.
For many, salmonella will heal on its own, however,
individuals are also at risk for death as well as job loss
for missing work due to such an unexpected illness,
infecting others with their condition as well as the onset
of further side effects, which may last longer than normal
depending on an individual and their immunity to such a
condition. It may be possible for a peanut butter recall
victim to receive monetary compensation for the side
effects of the salmonella poisonings, which is why it is
important that a victim at least meet with and receive a
legal consultation for such litigation from a knowledgeable
peanut butter recall lawyer.
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For more information on the peanut butter recall, visit
http://peanut-butter.legalview.info or
http://www.LegalView.info/ . Here, individuals can also
learn about other legal topics afflicting thousands of
Americans including mesothelioma treatments or how to
obtain a truck accident attorney.
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