Be Careful what you eat.  Peanut butter has Salmonella

A peanut butter plant in Georgia is in the middle of a national salmonella outbreak and has had a history of safety problems over the years that  it never corrected.  It is reported by major news organizations that  Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) was shipping its peanut butter and other products even after their own test results found that bacteria was present at their Georgia plant in 2007 and 2008.

Products made with Peanut Corporation of America peanut butter and peanut paste have been implicated in a mult-state salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 500 people since September.  PCA supplies peanut butter and paste to about 85 companies, and scores of firms.  Comopanies such as  General Mills and the Kellogg Company, have been forced to recall these products.  

Peanut Corporation of America located in Blakely, Georgia has been closed ever since the salmonella outbreak was traced to ingredients made there.  Now, USA Today is reporting that the FDA's investigation of that plant found records of 12 instances in 2007 and 2008 in which plant officials identified salmonella in ingredients or finished products.  The products were shipped anyway, in violation of safety regulations.  Peanut Corporation of America failed to correct the conditions that led to the salmonella contamination, USAToday said.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.  If you believe you have been affected by salmonella after consuming Peanut Butter contact us at the National Justice Coalition to be connected with a qualified products liabiltiy lawyer in your area.