Salmonella :: Salmonella found in the ConAgra Plant

As a follow-up to the recent Salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting an extensive inspection of ConAgra’s Sylvester, Georgia processing plant.

Samples collected by the FDA revealed the presence of Salmonella. The fact that FDA found Salmonella in the plant environment further suggests that the contamination likely took place prior to the product reaching consumers. Last week, tests by several states identified Salmonella in many open jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter recovered from consumers. In these instances, the Salmonella found in the plant and in the open jars matched the outbreak strain recovered from consumers who became ill.

FDA officials have warned consumers to avoid Peter Pan peanut butter bought since last May as well as any Great Value brand with lot number 2111 on the lid.

The contaminated products have sickened 370 people from 42 states and sent 60 of them to hospitals since last August, according to the latest count on February 27 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Leave a Comment