Sunland expands recall of peanut products and shuts down plant

US-based food company Sunland, whose peanut butter and other nut butter products have been linked to a nationwide E.coli outbreak, has expanded its recall to include raw and roasted peanuts and closed its peanut processing plant in Portales, New Mexico, US.

With the latest expanded recall, the company is in effect withdrawing all of its products made since 2010.

Sunland initially issued a recall of its products on 24 September 2012, after which it expanded the recall on 28 September, 4 October and 12 October.

Following these, several other food firms recalled foods made with Sunland’s products.

The recalls were initiated after a Salmonella outbreak, in which 35 people fell ill in approximately 19 states in the US.

An investigation into the outbreak revealed that twelve of fourteen people who fell sick reported that they consumed the same single product made by Sunland.

Currently, Sunland has halted the production and distribution of all products as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found Salmonella at several locations in its New Mexico plant following the investigations.

The FDA has recommended that consumers dispose of the products manufactured by Sunland or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can lead to Salmonellosis, a common bacterial foodborne illness. Its symptoms include diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours.

This foodborne illness can be particularly dangerous to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or those undergoing chemotherapy.

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Image: Sunland’s recall of peanut products was initiated after a Salmonella outbreak, in which 35 people fell ill in approximately 19 states in the US. Photo courtesy of the FDA.