U.S. Launches Criminal Probe Into Salmonell...(ed by Peanut Corp. to analyze the produc...),Health

The criminal investigation also follows disclosure by FDA officials Tuesday that, from 2007 into 2008, the company shipped peanut butter that it knew had been contaminated with salmonella.

"The FDA team identified 12 instances where the firm, as part of its own internal testing program, identified some type of salmonella and released a product after it was retested," Michael Rogers, director of FDA's division of field investigations in the Office of Regional Operations, said Tuesday.

Inspection reports released Wednesday from FDA investigators at the plant two weeks ago cited a litany of safety and sanitation problems and a trail of products that were sent out after being retested to clear the salmonella contaminants.

The current outbreak prompted U.S. health officials to announce a startling nationwide recall late Wednesday for all peanut products made over the last two years at the Georgia plant.

The recall involves all whole peanuts, dry and oil roasted; granulated peanuts; peanut meal; peanut butter, and peanut paste, Sundlof said.

At this point, apparently, the only safe peanut butter is that sold in jars on store shelves. Hundreds of other peanut and peanut paste products have been recalled so far.

Because most of the tainted products went to institutions like schools, more than half the victims have been children, officials said.

More information

The FDA Web site lists all the recalled products.

And there is a growing list of products determined to be safe at the American Peanut Council.

SOURCES: Jan. 30, 2009, teleconference with Stephen Sundlof, D.V.M.,
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