FDA on Sunland contamination

November 15, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration says a New Mexico peanut company linked to a recent salmonella outbreak distributed peanut and almond butters even after testing showed the products were contaminated.

From Phoenix, KJZZ’s Steve Goldstein has more.

Sunland Inc. is the nation's largest organic peanut butter processor, though it also produces many non-organic products. The company recalled hundreds of nuts and nut butters in September and October after one of its products, Trader Joe's Valencia creamy peanut butter, was linked to 41 salmonella illnesses around the county. The FDA said in a report released this week that government inspectors found 28 different samples of salmonella in Sunland's plant. Officials at Sunland deny they knowingly shipped tainted products.