King Nut Companies has recalled peanut butter distributed under its King Nut label because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium.  King Nut has warned customers to not use King Nut peanut butter with lot codes beginning with the number “8.”

The peanut butter, which tested positive for Salmonella Typhimurium, was manufactured for King Nut by Peanut Corporation of America.

King Nut also distributes peanut butter manufactured by Peanut Corporation of America under the Parnell’s Pride label.  King Nut is asking its customers to discontinue use of Parnell’s Pride brand peanut butter as well.

The King Nut recall was issued after the Minnesota Department of Agriculture isolated Salmonella Typhimurium from a 5 pound tub of King Nut peanut butter.  Salmonella Typhimurium, is the bacterial pathogen that has sickened 388 persons in an ongoing nationwide food poisoning outbreak.  It is believed that the outbreak began in early September of 2008.  Results from additional testing linking the Salmonella isolated from the peanut butter to the outbreak should be available early this week.

In contrast, as of January 11, Peanut Corporation of America has not recalled its peanut butter. In a company press release, Peanut Corporation of America stated that they will work closely with the U.S. Government as part of the outbreak investigation.  The company states that “The salmonella was found in an open container of King Nut peanut butter at a nursing facility, which leaves open the possibility of cross contamination from another source.”

But Peanut Corporation needs to consider this.  Their product has been distributed to hospitals, schools, restaurants, and nursing homes.  Their product is being served to the elderly, sick, and young children – those members of our society most susceptible to the severe symptoms and complications of Salmonella food poisoning.

The Law Firm of Eric Weinberg, along with co-counsel Andrew Childers of Atlanta, Georgia, represent hundreds of individuals who were sickened in the Peter Pan Salmonella outbreak of 2007. If you have a question concerning your legal rights, please call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274, or see Free Legal Case Evaluation.