FEMA Takes Proactive Steps During Peanut Butter Recall
Release Date: February 5, 2009
Release Number: R6-09-027
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NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- As part of a major nationwide USDA-ordered recall of some peanut butter products suspected of being tainted, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) have taken precautionary and pro-active measures to reduce any risk to storm-affected Arkansans.
An inventory of meals received, distributed and staged revealed that storm victims did not receive products identified within the current USDA recall. Even so, FEMA and ADEM immediately began taking steps to inform the public of a potential health issue and are taking precautionary steps to ensure the health and safety of all Arkansans.
ENSURING HEALTH AND SAFETY
- As part of a nationwide alert about potentially contaminated food products containing peanut butter paste, we were advised that some prepared meals supplied to FEMA may have been among the affected products.
- FEMA is removing any products that are in our inventory and replacing them with new meals.
MONITORING FOR HEALTH ISSUES
- Health teams throughout the state have been alerted and public health services will be monitoring the situation for any related health issues.
- People should remove the peanut butter product from the emergency meals they received and discard it.
ENSURING THE EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPLY
- We are inspecting all meals currently located at our staging areas and determining whether any products may have been distributed.
- We are no longer providing commercial meals for distribution—only meals-ready-to-eat (MREs).
INFORMING THE PUBLIC
- We are making every effort, and using all avenues, to inform the people of Arkansas through the media, National Guard, state and local officials, health agencies, and other organizations in support of a nationwide recall of certain food products containing a specific peanut paste product.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism and man-made disasters.
Last Modified: Friday, 06-Feb-2009 14:03:55