US: Sunland expands peanut recall further

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 12, 2012 - Sunland, Inc. today announced that it is extending its ongoing voluntary recall to include raw and roasted shelled and in-shell peanuts processed in its Peanut Processing Plant because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Specifically, the recall is being extended to include raw and roasted peanuts, both in-shell and shelled, which were processed in its Peanut Processing Plant located in Portales, New Mexico, and which are within their current shelf life or have no stated expiration date.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The original recall initiated by the Company on September 24, 2012, included peanut butter and other nut butter products produced in a separate building from where raw and roasted peanuts are processed. The reason for the initial voluntary recall was the potential for the recalled products to be contaminated with Salmonella. At that time, twenty-nine (29) people had reported Salmonella Bredeney PFGE matching illnesses in approximately eighteen (18) states, and of those who had been interviewed at that time, twelve of fourteen reported having eaten the same single product made by the Company. Since the recall was announced, additional confirmed illnesses have been reported. As of October 5, 2012, the total number of confirmed illnesses reported was thirty-five (35). The most current information available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regarding confirmed illnesses is available at their website: http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/bredeney-09-12/index.html

The extension being announced today is the result of the continued joint investigation by the Company and FDA. The Company has ceased the production and distribution of all products from both its Peanut Butter Plant and its Peanut Processing Plant while FDA and the Company continue their investigation.

The raw and roasted peanuts available to retail customers were distributed primarily under the Company's own label and were distributed primarily to produce houses and nationally to numerous large supermarket, grocery and retail chains. The products also were available for purchase on the internet. The roasted and roasted/salted peanuts being recalled were distributed during the six month period prior to the recall date (April 12, 2012 - October 12, 2012), and will have best by/expiration dates on the packaging from October 12, 2012 through April 12, 2013. The raw peanuts being recalled (shelled and in-shell), were distributed during the twelve months prior to the recall date (October 12, 2011 - October 12, 2012), and will have either best by dates from October 12, 2012 through October 12, 2013 on the packaging, or a "Crop Year" marking on the package of 2011 or 2012, up to and including October 12, 2012.

Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are urged not to eat them and to return products to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them immediately. The "Best-If-Used-By" date or product expiration date is printed on the packaging. The UPC used to identify the recalled products is located below the bar code on all products. In-shell peanuts that were sold in 2, 5 and 10 pound mesh bags (raw, roasted and salted/roasted), do not include an expiration date on the mesh bags. All such products should not be eaten and should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund or disposed of immediately. All expired products should be discarded. Customers who purchased products directly from the Company's website should discard the products and contact the Company at 1-866-837-1018.

Consumers can contact the Company at 1-866-837-1018 for information on the recall. This toll-free number is operational 24 hours a day.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The most current information available from FDA is posted at the following website: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/CORENetwork/ucm320413.htm

The specifics of the affected products are set forth below. Products being added to the list for the first time appear in the first table. All previously identified products follow in the second table.

Original source: Sunland Inc