Personal Injury Law

Shifting the Blame? Peanut Corporation's Press release Concerning the Salmonella Outbreak

By Jessica Smagacz

Soon after the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Agriculture issued a product advisory after finding the presence of Salmonella bacteria in a five pound container of King Nut creamy peanut butter, the Peanut Corporation of America released a press release yesterday. Please see our post from yesterday: The Culprit to the Salmonella Outbreak--Peanut Corporation of America and King Nut Peanut Butter?

In their press release, the Peanut Corporation of America “expressed its deep concern about the apparent finding of salmonella in a container of one of its products distributed in Minnesota…”

The Peanut Corporation of America appears to be shifting the blame by saying “The salmonella was found in an open container of King Nut peanut butter at a nursing facility, which leaves open the possibility of cross contamination from another source.”

Although investigations are still occurring on whether this King Nut creamy peanut butter is the reason for the national outbreak of salmonella infections, it is clear that the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Agriculture found the presence of Salmonella bacteria in a 5-pound container of King Nut brand creamy peanut butter. This peanut butter is manufactured by the Peanut Corporation of America!

FDA’s Firm Press release says that King Nut contacted customers immediately to stop distributing peanut butter with lot codes beginning with “8.” King Nut also cancelled orders with the manufacturer, the Peanut Corporation of America.

This salmonella outbreak has affected 42 states with at least 388 reports nationwide.

The common symptoms of salmonella poisoning include fever, stomach cramps, and diarrhea—all of these symptoms can last from 12 up to 72 hours after coming into contact with this germ.

People can contract serious infections from salmonella, especially infants, elderly, and people with a weaker immune system.

Salmonella poisoning can lead to serious sickness and even death.

Look over salmonella symptoms, especially if you have eaten peanut butter because it could have been peanut butter from the Peanut Corporation of America based in Georgia.

If you or someone close to you has salmonella poisoning, you may want to contact the attorneys at Childers & Schlueter, LLP to see how they can help protect your legal rights.

Full post as published by Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer on January 11, 2009 (boomark / email).