Two years after ConAgra recalled two popular brands of its peanut butter because of salmonella contamination, another manufacturer has issued a peanut butter recall for the same reason.
King Nut Companies, a distributor of peanut butter manufactured for them by Peanut Corporation of America, has announced a recall of peanut butter distributed under the King Nut label. No other King Nut products are included in this recall, the company said.
King Nut said it took the action as soon as it was informed that salmonella had been found in an open five-pound tub of King Nut peanut butter. King Nut distributes peanut butter only through food service accounts. It is not sold directly to consumers. King Nut does not supply any of the ingredients for the peanut butter distributed under its label. All other King Nut products are safe and not included in this voluntary recall, according to the manufacturer.
"We are very sorry this happened," said Martin Kanan, president and chief executive officer of King Nut Companies. "We are taking immediate and voluntary action because the health and safety of those who use our products is always our highest priority. Because we don't manufacture peanut butter, we will do what we can to get this product out of distribution and will work with the manufacturer to inform others of this problem."
King Nut also distributes peanut butter from this manufacturer under the Parnell's Pride brand, although the company says it is not the only distributor. However, is has asked customers to remove this brand as well."
In February 2007, the Food and Drug Administration recalled Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter, made by ConAgra, after widespread illnesses from salmonella were reported. The contamination was finally traced to a ConAgra manufacturing plant.
Kanan said that King Nut began contacting customers immediately to stop distributing all peanut butter with lot codes beginning with "8," and immediately cancelled orders with the manufacturer. Customers are asked to take all King Nut peanut butter and Parnell's Pride peanut butter distributed by King Nut out of distribution immediately. Consumers may get more information about the recall at the King Nut Web site.
