CONTACT: JEFF VOLTZ, GENERAL MANAGER (360) 734-8158
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — MARCH 6, 2009 — COMMUNITY CO-OP OF BELLINGHAM, WA IS RECALLING BULK PEANUTS AND IN-STORE GROUND BULK PEANUT BUTTER BECAUSE IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE CONTAMINATED WITH SALMONELLA.  THIS VOLUNTARY RECALL IS IN RESPONSE TO THE EXPANDED RECALL OF ALL PEANUT PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY PEANUT CORPORATION OF AMERICA’S GA AND TX FACILITIES BECAUSE THEY MAY BE CONTAMINATED WITH SALMONELLA.  SALMONELLA IS AN ORGANISM WHICH CAN CAUSE SERIOUS AND SOMETIMES FATAL INFECTIONS IN YOUNG CHILDREN, FRAIL OR ELDERLY PEOPLE, AND OTHERS WITH WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEMS. HEALTHY PERSONS INFECTED WITH SALMONELLA OFTEN EXPERIENCE FEVER, DIARRHEA, 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.
PRODUCTS WERE DISTRIBUTED IN THE COMMUNITY CO-OP LOCATIONS IN BELLINGHAM, WA.  THE PRODUCTS WERE DELIVERED TO COMMUNITY CO-OP BY GLORYBEE FOODS, INC. OF EUGENE, OR AND STOCKED IN THE BULK FOOD SECTION FOR SELF-SERVE AND SELF SERVE GRIND PEANUT BUTTER.
PRODUCTS INCLUDE:
CONVENTIONAL SPLIT PEANUTS DRY-ROASTED (NON-SALTED) OR BULK GROUND PEANUT BUTTER PURCHASED DURING THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007 TO FEBRUARY 13, 2009. BIN #2201 ORGANIC SPLIT PEANUTS DRY-ROASTED (NON-SALTED PEANUTS) OR BULK GROUND PEANUT BUTTER PURCHASED DURING THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2007 TO OCTOBER 1, 2008. BIN #2200
NO EXPIRATION DATES OR OTHER SPECIFIC CODES INCLUDING UPC CODES ARE FOUND ON THE BULK ITEMS.  THIS IS PRODUCT THAT IS SOLD OUT OF THE CO-OP’S BULK FOODS DEPARTMENT AND IS SELF-GROUND BY SHOPPERS.
NO KNOWN ILLNESSES HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO DATE IN CONNECTION WITH THESE PRODUCTS.  THE RECALL WAS INITIATED AFTER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PEANUT PRODUCT RECEIVED WAS MANUFACTURED BY PEANUT CORPORATION OF AMERICA.  COMMUNITY FOOD CO-OP HAS INFORMED FDA OF ITS ACTIONS AND IS COOPERATING WITH THE AGENCY.
IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THIS PRODUCT PLEASE RETURN IT TO THE CO-OP FOR A COMPLETE REFUND.  FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE ACCESS THE CO-OP’S WEB SITE OR PHONE (360) 734-8158, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 9:00 AM TO 4:00 PM (PST).
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