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FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Contact:
Chris Friesleben
Phone: (515) 267-2941
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- WEST DES MOINES, IA—January 29, 2009 -- Hy-Vee Inc. is voluntarily recalling its freshly made party mix and peanut brittle because the products contain whole peanuts that have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. All sell-by dates are included in this recall. The products are sold in various types of packaging and have a Hy-Vee price label attached. The items should be destroyed or returned to Hy-Vee for a full refund.
The action was taken immediately after Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) expanded its recall to include whole peanuts. Earlier in January, the company recalled a number of lots of peanut butter and peanut paste because of a nationwide outbreak of salmonella. An FDA investigation has since identified PCA as the source of the bacteria.
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 (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare cases, 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.
The party mix and peanut brittle are sold in Hy-Vee stores in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota. The products have not been directly linked to the salmonella outbreak and there have been no reported cases of the illness.
Hy-Vee Bakery Manufacturing of Des Moines, Iowa, supplies many of the products sold in Hy-Vee store bakeries. In mid-January, the company recalled all freshly made products containing peanut butter including cookies, people chow and truffle fudge. Subsequent FDA and independent lab tests on the peanut butter used in those items were negative for salmonella.
The removal of the party mix and peanut brittle as a result of the expanded recall is simply precautionary. Company officials also said it will not resume making fresh items containing peanut butter until it is confident the issue is fully resolved.
Customers with questions should call their local store.
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