Recall -- Firm Press Release

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Sunland, Inc. Announces Voluntary Expansion of Ongoing Recall To Include All Products Manufactured in its Peanut Butter Plant After March 1, 2010 Due to Possible Health Risk

Contact
Consumer:
1-866-837-1018
www.sunlandinc.com

Media:
Ms. Katalin Coburn, VP for Media Relations at (805) 796-3368

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 4, 2012 – Sunland, Inc. today announced a voluntary expansion of its ongoing recall of all products manufactured in its Peanut Butter Plant because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Specifically, the recall is being expanded to include all products manufactured in its Peanut Butter Plant after March 1, 2010.The scope of the initial recall covered one hundred one (101) products manufactured between May 1, 2012 and September 24, 2012. The expanded recall adds forty-nine (49) products that are currently within the manufacturer’s recommended shelf-life, that is, the “Best-If-Used-By” dates have not expired. The expanded recall also adds ninety (90) products consumers may still have in their homes which are older than the “Best-If-Used-By Date”. Distribution of many of the products being added to the recall was discontinued some time ago. The expanded recall covers all previously identified Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, Cashew Butter, and Tahini products as well as Roasted Blanched Peanut Products. New product categories being added to the list are several varieties of flavored butters and spreads, including Thai Ginger Butter, Chocolate Butter and Banana Butter.

The Company is voluntarily expanding the recall to cover all products manufactured in its Peanut Butter Plant since March 2010 because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), 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. Symptoms of Salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. However, in some cases, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient requires hospitalization. Older adults, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness from Salmonella infection.

None of the one hundred-thirty nine (139) products being added to the recall list have been associated with any reported illness to date; however, the Company initiated the recall on September 24, 2012, after receiving a September 22, 2012 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that between June 11, 2012 and September 2, 2012, twenty-nine (29) people reported Salmonella Bredeney PFGE matching illnesses in approximately eighteen (18) states, and that among those reporting illnesses, fourteen persons had been interviewed at that time, with twelve reporting having eaten the same single product made by the Company. As of September 25, 2012, the CDC reported a total of thirty (30) illnesses in nineteen (19) states, including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Additional testing conducted as part of the joint investigation by the Company and FDA since the recall was initiated has confirmed the presence of Salmonella Bredeney, according to a report provided to the Company by the CDC and FDA on October 3, 2012. The FDA and the Company are continuing their investigation.

The products were distributed under the Company’s own label and under other brand names, and were distributed nationally to numerous large supermarket, grocery and retail chains. The products also were available for purchase on the internet.

All products with “Best-If-Used-By” dates of March 1, 2011 or later should be returned or discarded immediately. Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are urged not to eat them and to return or dispose of them immediately. The “Best-If-Used-By” date is stamped on the side of the jar's label below the lid of the jar. The UPC is located below the bar code on all products. For products in jars it will appear on the side of the jar’s label. For products in other types of containers, the bar code may be located elsewhere on the packaging.

Consumers can contact the Company at 1-866-837-1018 for information on the recall. This toll- free number is operational 24 hours a day. Consumers who have products which are within their current shelf life (“Best-If-Used-By” dates of October 4, 2012 and later) should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund or discard them. All expired products (“Best- If-Used-By” dates of October 4, 2012 and earlier) should be discarded. Customers who purchased products directly from the Company’s website should discard the products and contact the Company at 1-866-837-1018.

"For twenty-two years Sunland has been committed to producing high quality, safe products and taking appropriate steps to ensure the safety and good health of everyone who enjoys them. We are most concerned about the individuals experiencing these recent illnesses. Sunland is dedicating all of its resources to the identification and correction of any conditions which have created the potential for Salmonella contamination in any of our products. We are reviewing every step in our manufacturing process and are confident that the expertise being applied to the investigation will enable Sunland to take any necessary corrective measures and once again produce products that families will enjoy with confidence."

October 4, 2012 Statement of Jimmie Shearer, President and CEO of Sunland, Inc.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the FDA. The specifics of the affected products are set forth below. Products being added to the list for the first time appear in the first table. All previously identified products follow in the second table.

List of Products Added to Recall on October 4, 2012—Recall covers all of the following products which were manufactured on March 1, 2010 or later. The “Best- if-Used-By” Dates stamped on the recalled products will be March 1, 2011 or later.

List of Products Recalled September 24, 2012—Expanded recall now covers ALL of the following products which were manufactured on March 1, 2010 or later. The “Best-if-Used-By” Dates stamped on the recalled products will be March 1, 2011 or later.

Media representatives should contact Ms. Katalin Coburn, Vice President for Media Relations, Sunland, Inc., at (805) 796-3368. A full copy of the list of recalled products is also available at the Company’s website: www.sunlandinc.com

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Updated Press Release - October 12, 2012

Updated Press Release - September 24, 2012

Initial Press Release - September 24, 2012 

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