Peanut Butter and peanut products (January ’09):
Peanut Corporation of American, a family owned business headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia, and with operations in Georgia and Texas, announced the recall of 21 lots of peanut butter in containers ranging from five to 50 pounds after it was discovered that an already open container in a long-term care facility in Minnesota was found to contain a strain of salmonella. The same genetic fingerprint of the salmonella pathogen was found to have sickened 400 people in 42 states. Additionally, Texas state examiners issued a Class I recall effecting products processed in the company’s Plainview, TX plant including some pet food related products containing peanut paste. On February 6, Peanut Corporation of American filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It is believed that the recall of PCA’s peanut products triggered between 500 and 2000 secondary recalls of food merchandise that may have contained PCA ingredients.

Chocolate Energy Shake (December ’08):
A Southern California firm recalled its chocolate energy drink after it was discovered that a limited number of canisters did not include “whey caseinate” (a milk ingredient) on the label. The product had been distributed to grocery health food, pharmacy and on-line retailers nationwide. People who are lactose intolerant or have dairy product allergies run the risk of life threatening allergic reactions. To date, no allergic reactions have been reported.

Sausage Products (December ’08):
An Ohio firm recalled its product that may be contaminated with “listeria monocytogenes,” a bacteria that causes “listereosis,” an uncommon but potentially fatal disease causing high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. It can also lead to miscarriages and stillbirth as well as fatal infections in infants and the elderly.

Burrito Products (December ’08):
A Denver recalled approximately 172 pounds of burrito products that may be contaminated with “listeria monocytogenes.” The product was sold to retail convenience stores throughout Colorado.

Ground Beef (July ’08):
After a number of reported illnesses, an Ohio based meat processor recalled an undetermined amount of ground beef products that may have been contaminated with E. coli. The recall included beef products packaged in Styrofoam trays and wrapped in clear plastic which were available in “in-store” service counters.

Soymilk (April ’08):
A Virginia firm recalled its 11 ounce plastic, single serve bottles of chocolate flavored soy milk because it may contain undeclared milk protein.

Candy (September ’08):
A manufacturer of natural black licorice products recalled its products in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, And Washington State due to elevated lead levels.

Produce (Cilantro) (July ’08):
A Salinas, CA grower of cilantro voluntarily recalled its product because it suspected high levels of salmonella.