What's in Your Peanut Butter?

We remember the past food recalls on Peter Pan peanut butter. The plant in South Georgia that produced it had contamination issues that resulted in the brand being pulled from the markets including co-packed brands. The recall expanded into bulk peanut butter that was used in the manufacture of cookies and other products.

One of the big issues we face today is the reduction in the number of manufacturing plants in the United States. As companies and plants have consolidated to control costs and remain competitive, they have put smaller companies out of business. Big retailers have squeezed the manufacturers for reduced wholesale costs of merchandise so that they can maintain the necessary growth in revenue to satisfy their Wall St. analysts and their shareholders.
The reason that this pertains to food safety is that many distributers today have their brand name on the product, but do not manufacture the items. Items are packed by a contract packager.

When the contract packager has contamination issues the extent of the recall depends on the quality of the record keeping, lot traceability and sanitary standard operating procedures that are being practiced.

This carries on to the following recall that has occurred in peanut butter again. The manufacturer was not mentioned in the recall, but I presume we are just hearing about this story as it unravels. The distributer is desiring to remove the product and related labels off the market to protect the public and the company's liability. Read the following recall to understand the extent. What you do not know is what related labels were packaged on the same line before or after the recalled product and the follow up by the manufacturer to correct the problem.

King Nut Issues Peanut Butter Recall
Contact:Martin Kanan 440-248-8484 extension 244
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --Solon, Ohio (January 10, 2009) - King Nut Companies, a distributor of peanut butter manufactured for them by Peanut Corporation of America, today announced a recall of peanut butter distributed under the King Nut label. No other King Nut products are included in this recall.
King Nut took this action as soon as it was informed that salmonella had been found in an open five-pound tub of King Nut peanut butter. King Nut distributes peanut butter only through food service accounts. It is not sold directly to consumers. King Nut does not supply any of the ingredients for the peanut butter distributed under its label. All other King Nut products are safe and not included in this voluntary recall.
“We are very sorry this happened,” said Martin Kanan, president and chief executive officer of King Nut Companies. “We are taking immediate and voluntary action because the health and safety of those who use our products is always our highest priority.”
“Because we don’t manufacture peanut butter, we will do what we can to get this product out of distribution and will work with the manufacturer to inform others of this problem,” Kanan said. “We also distribute peanut butter from this manufacturer under the Parnell’s Pride brand, although we are not the only distributor. However, we have asked our customers to remove this brand as well.”


In an unrelated recall, yogurt was recalled for containing walnuts and almonds, that were not disclosed on the packaging.

Again in today's market, how can this happen?

I will go out on a limb and state that most companies, even if they have a process in place to handle proper labelling, do not practice what they have written. They have policies and procedures. They may have had someone in that position. Maybe that person left the company or the job was eliminated. Transfering those things that are in writing to actions in most cases fails to happen, because of lack of time in the day or lack of checks and balances in the process.

I am very concerned with the direction that we as a country are going as we continue to drive food safety from Washington, DC without understanding how we interpret this in plants across the country. I challenge each distributer and manufacturer to step up and get it right. Protect the public and your company. It is your morale and legal obligation when you decided to enter the food business. Take the obligation seriously.

Triple B Corporation dba S.T. Produce Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Allergens Walnuts and Almonds in Parfait Products
Contact:Mike Ruff206-625-1412
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Seattle, WA – January 9, 2009 -- Triple B Corporation dba S.T. Produce, Seattle, WA is initiating a voluntary recall of the below listed Charlie's brand yogurt parfait products because they contain undeclared walnuts and almonds. People who have allergies to walnuts or almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
The yogurt parfait products being recalled are packaged under the Charlie's Label into 8.5 ounce, clear plastic package cups with a USE BY Date of 1-12-09 through 1-15-09 stamped on the side:
Peach and Pineapple Yogurt Parfait UPC 0-45009-06747-0
Pineapple Blueberry Yogurt Parfait UPC 0-45009-06748-7
Mixed Berry Parfait UPC 0-45009-06766-1
Strawberry Blueberry Yogurt Parfait UPC 0-45009-06787-6
Pineapple Strawberry Yogurt Parfait UPC 0-45009-06788-3
In addition, the yogurt parfaits are sold in a variety pack, 6/8.5 oz. containers, sold in a cardboard carton:
Mixed Pack Parfait UPC 0-45009-08084-4, contains 6/8.5 oz yogurt parfaits – 2 each of mixed berry, strawberry & blueberry, and pineapple & peach.
The recalled yogurt parfait was distributed in Washington and Oregon in retail stores and delis.No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the walnuts and almond-containing parfait was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of the walnuts and almonds. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes.

Until next time, Be Safe Out There,
Rudy