Why is the peanut recall taking so long?
by Leigh Ann Hubbard, managing editor
Did you know they’re still recalling peanut products? Almost two months after the Peanut Corporation of America issued their first notice, recalls are trickling in daily.
We wondered, why is it taking so long? Do these companies not know where their ingredients come from? FDA spokeswoman Stephanie Kwisnek gave us some answers via e-mail (emphasis mine).
This is a very active and dynamic situation. Since the Peanut Corporation of America’s (PCA’s) initial recall in early January, the recall has expanded on multiple occasions and it now covers peanuts and peanut products from two of PCA’s facilities that were distributed over a significant period of time. In addition, the recall is very expansive and complex because firms that received product from PCA may have distributed the product to other firms who may have distributed the product further and/or may have incorporated the recalled product as an ingredient into products that were distributed through various channels and consumed in various settings. …
To date, the FDA has contacted more than 14,000 firms throughout the entire distribution chain including direct accounts, sub-accounts, and retail accounts. This number continues to grow as new recalls are initiated and additional points of distribution are identified.
Over 3,000 products have been recalled so far, said Kwisnek. “The large number of products and brands recalled, and the large quantities of some products recalled, makes this one of the largest food recalls ever in the United States.”
You can check for recalled products at the FDA’s searchable database. Or see brands the peanut recall doesn’t affect, from the American Peanut Council.
Though the continuing recall isn’t making news as much any more, some are still covering it. Below are some interesting, relatively recent stories. But at James Hubbard’s My Family Doctor, we strive not to present bad news without also telling you what you can do–or what someone is doing–about it. In fact, some are saying this recall could be a good thing–for bipartisanship. Lawmakers are looking at options for making food oversight more effective. So don’t despair! D.C. is on it!
Um … on second thought …
PEANUT STORIES
- “Many don’t know peanuts about recall,” The Indianapolis Star
“Harvard’s survey found that although 93 percent of Americans knew about the recall, fewer than half knew it included snack bars, baked goods and dry-roasted peanuts. One-quarter of those surveyed mistakenly thought major-brand peanut butter jars were on the list.” - “Peanut recall’s ripples feel like a tidal wave for some companies” (impact on small businesses), The New York Times
- “Peanut recall hits Bay Area food banks” (video), NBC Bay Area News (note the peanut butter jars in the bins, which are not affected, giving credence to the Harvard study noted above)
- “Inspector failed to flag salmonella-linked plant,” Associated Press
Tags: food safety
March 9th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Do you think the coverage and the recall of the peanuts was handled well? It seemed by my read to be a bit hyped.
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March 9th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Interesting question, ocbody. Thank you.
On the one hand, while some people have gotten sick and even died, this hasn’t been the black death or anything, so if Americans got the idea that masses were in imminent, inescapable danger, I’d agree that it was hyped. Also, while this story raises important questions about America’s food-safety infrastructure, we also have to consider how much good it does. How does it compare to other countries, for example?
But on the other hand, the recall is huge–the amount of products has amazed me. I think that in itself makes this a big story. And beyond that, to me, it’s newsworthy that a single company could have such an impact. Products from cookies to “all-natural” health food used peanut butter and peanuts from the Peanut Corporation of America. Finally, the questions about the food-safety infrastructure are still concerning. What else is being overlooked?
Hmmm … what do you think? What did you see that was hyped about it?
Leigh Ann Hubbard
Managing Editor
James Hubbard’s My Family Doctor
March 9th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Do you know if this includes PB2, the powdered low fat version?
Thank you!
Dr. Js last blog post..What I’m drinking now: Acai juice
March 9th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Interesting. I’ve wondered why recalls are still trickling in. It makes me wonder whether all of the products on the “safe” list are truly safe. I think that while the story may have been hyped, there were a significant number of people (what, a little over 500 known cases?) that were sickened by the peanuts. And it does raise legitimate questions about food safety.
Thanks, as always, for a balanced presentation!
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March 9th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Dr. J,
I searched the FDA’s database and didn’t find it.
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm
Also, Bell Plantation, which appears to be the PB2 manufacturer, has a notice about the recall on its home page:
http://www.bellplantation.com/
Best,
Leigh Ann Hubbard
Managing Editor
James Hubbard’s My Family Doctor
March 9th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Cathy,
Thank you for the compliment.
I’m glad you brought up the safe list. I’ve been asked about that before. Some of the products on the APC’s safe list are there because the brand simply uses no products from PCA.
http://www.peanutsusa.com/USA/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.page&pid=262
I personally would feel fine eating products on that list. If, however, a product is not there but also not yet recalled, I’d consider it at risk for a recall. You could check the manufacturer’s Web site to see if they have a statement.
Leigh Ann Hubbard
Managing Editor
James Hubbard’s My Family Doctor