Although the recent Peanut Butter salmonella outbreak appears to be coming to an end (new illness onsets have slowed dramatically), we continue to be contacted by individuals and families across the United States who contracted Salmonella Typhimurium after consuming peanut butter and peanut products. We are actively prosecuting these claims in courts across the United States. Below is an update on the status of the peanut butter outbreak and litigation.
How Did Salmonella Typhimurium Get Into the Peanut Butter?
Health officials at the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and numerous state agencies have identified peanut butter and peanut paste manufactured by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) as the source of Salmonella Typhimurium that has poisoned 714 people and killed nine in a national salmonella outbreak. The contaminated peanut butter and peanut paste was manufactured by PCA at its peanut processing plants in Blakely, Georgia and Plainview, Texas.
On April 22 and 23, Ron Simon led a team of photographers and experts into PCA’s manufacturing plants. His inspections revealed rats, insects, roaches, standing water and roof leaks inside the plants. His inspection of the Georgia plant was featured on NBC, CNN, ABC, and CBS. To see the shocking results of his investigation, watch the 3 minute video below – you will not believe your eyes:
Both plants have been closed, and PCA is no longer in business. In addition, the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) has fined PCA for violations of state food safety regulations. The violations included unsanitary conditions, product contamination, illnesses linked to consumption of peanuts from the plant and operating for almost four years without a food manufacturer’s license.
Salmonella Typhimurium
The genus Salmonella is subdivided into 50 serogroups (A, B, C1, C2, D, E, etc), which are further subdivided into over 2500 serotypes. Of these serotypes, Salmonella Typhimurium is the most common and accounts for approximately 20% of all salmonella infections in the United States every year.
Salmonella bacteria live in the intestinal tracts of many animals, and the bacteria is often found in these animals’ feces. Salmonella is transmitted to humans who unknowingly consume food contaminated with the feces. Typical food contamination occurs when rats, mice, birds, or other animals infiltrate food production plants (like PCA’s Georgia and Texas plants) and leave their droppings on raw or finished product which eventually finds its way to consumers’ tables.
What Products Were Contaminated?
PCA distributed the contaminated product in two ways: through peanut butter sold under the King Nut peanut butter label and through the sale of raw peanut paste to hundreds of other companies.
King Nut Peanut Butter
PCA’s peanut butter was sold under the King Nut brand label (owned by Kanan Enterprises, Inc.) to nursing homes, cafeterias, schools, and colleges where those most susceptible to salmonella poisoning — children and the elderly — were likely to have consumed the contaminated product. Health officials have detected numerous “clusters” of individuals that contracted salmonella poisoning at nursing homes across the United States. Those nursing homes served King Nut peanut butter to their residents.
Austin and Keebler Brand Crackers
PCA’s contaminated peanut butter and peanut paste were also distributed to numerous companies for use as ingredients in many products including cookies, crackers, cereal, candy, ice cream, and other foods. These companies have now recalled over 3100 products which contained PCA peanut butter and paste.
But after extensive testing, officials have now determined that over 95% of the known Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses arose from the consumption of Austin and Keebler brand peanut butter crackers, both of which are manufactured by Kellogg Company. Those crackers were manufactured with PCA’s peanut paste. Several batches of these crackers collected from victims’ homes have tested positive for Salmonella Typhimurium.
The Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 714 people and kills 9
The CDC continues to work with state health officials and the FDA to monitor the outbreak. Over 714 people infected with Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 46 states and Canada. Illnesses began on September 1, 2008. Patients range in age from <1 to 98 years. Among persons with available information, 24% reported being hospitalized. Nine deaths have been reported. A map illustrating the distribution of illnesses in the United States is shown below:
Salmonella Victims Must Assert Rights to Settlement Funds – Simon & Luke Can Help
Simon & Luke currently represents over 100 victims of this salmonella outbreak, including 2 of the families that lost a loved one. PCA’s insurance funds from The Hartford Insurance Company (up to $24 million) will be used to pay the victims of this tragedy who assert their claims. Additional funds will be paid by Kellogg Company and Kanan Enterprises, Inc. depending on the product consumed.
Simon & Luke has represented thousands of people across the United States, Mexico, and Canada who have been victimized by contaminated food products. Simon & Luke has recovered over $400,000,000 for its clients, including numerous settlements in excess of one million dollars. We have handled over 2000 salmonella claims in the last 2 years alone.
Persons who tested positive for Salmonella Typhimurium after September 1, 2008 should contact us toll free immediately at 1-888-335-4901 in order to protect their rights to settlement funds.
