US: Peanut consumption returns to growth - study

By: just-food.com | 3 December 2009

The US has seen a "dramatic" increase in the consumption of peanuts, as consumers move past January's product recall.

According to the US Department of Agriculture's November crop report, volume is up 18.6% following the salmonella outbreak earlier this year linked to contaminated nuts supplied by Peanut Corporation of America.

The outbreak was blamed for nine deaths and over 700 illnesses across 46 states. More than 3,200 products were recalled, some unaffected.

Through a marketing campaign run by the National Peanut Board (NPB), sales have recovered from a 19.42% drop in volume during the January recall.

"Peanut farmers are passionate about what they do and the food they grow," said Raffaela Marie Fenn, NPB's president and managing director. "When the research pointed to a high degree of confusion and misperception among consumers, our farmers jumped at the opportunity to speak directly with consumers to ease their concerns."

Sectors: Bakery, Food safety, Retail, Snacks

Companies: Peanut Corporation of America