Peanut Butter Recall Goes To The Dogs

Pet Smart joins the peanut butter recall, removing seven dog treat products from store shelves.

NEWS RELEASES, Jan. 22, 2009 -- Pet Smart today joined Ready Pac and NutriSystem as the latest in a growing number of manufacturers, distributors and retailers recalling products made with King Nut peanut butter, a product of the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), that might be tainted with Salmonella.

Acording to the Center for Disease Control, as of yesterday 486 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 43 states. Of those, six are from Texas.

Six deaths are suspected to have been caused by outbreak.

PetSmart is voluntarily recalling seven of its Grreat Choice® Dog Biscuit products. Even though the company says it is not aware of any reported cases of illness related to these products, it has removed these products from its store shelves, and is conducting the recall as a precautionary measure.

Ready Pac is removing five snack products containing peanut butter used as a dip for celery and apples, and NutriSystems announced that it is recalling its Peanut Butter Granola Bars.

Excerpts from all three recall notices, along with links to the full notice, can be found below.

Jan. 20th -- PetSmart is voluntarily recalling seven of its Grreat Choice® Dog Biscuit products that contain peanut paste made by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA).

Although PetSmart is not aware of any reported cases of illness related to these products, it has removed these products from its store shelves and website and is conducting the recall as a precautionary measure.

The recalled products include only the following types of Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits sold between Aug. 21, 2008 and Jan. 19, 2009:
* Small Assorted 32 oz., UPC 73725702900
* Small/Medium Assorted 4 lb., UPC 73725700601
* Small/Medium Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700605
* Small/Medium Assorted 10 lb., UPC 73725702755
* Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700638
* Extra Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700779
* Peanut Butter 4 lb., UPC 73725700766
See the full notice here.

Jan 20th -- After receiving notification from one of its suppliers, Ready Pac Foods, Inc. is announcing that they are initiating a voluntary recall of certain products containing peanut butter that may have been contaminated with Salmonella. These products have been distributed to different retailers in the states of California, Utah, Illinois, Washington, Texas, New Jersey, Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maryland. This recall is part of a nationwide recall initiated by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA).

Anyone who has purchased the following products with the expiration dates listed should dispose of the product or return the product to the store for a full refund. No other products are impacted in this recall.
* Ready Pac Cool Cuts Celery with Peanut Butter, By Dates of 12/27/08 to 2/2/09.
* Trader Joe's Celery with Peanut Butter, By Dates of 12/27/08 to 2/2/09.
* Trader Joe's Celery with Peanut Butter, By Dates of 12/27/08 to 2/2/09.
* Eating Right Apples with Peanut Butter, By Dates of 12/27/08 to 2/2/09.
* Eating Right Celery with Peanut Butter, By Dates of 12/27/08 to 2/2/09.
See the full notice here.

Jan. 20th -- NutriSystem Inc. announced a voluntary recall of its NutriSystem-branded Peanut Butter Granola Bar 1.41 ounces or 40 grams packaged in flexible film.
Lot Codes as follow:
* TC08158A
* TC08188A
* TC09158A
* TC09168A
* TC09178A
* TC11148A
* TC11178A

because the product contains peanut butter which was manufactured by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), which is the focus of an ongoing Salmonella investigation by the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA). PCA is one of the suppliers of peanut ingredients to the company. NutriSystem is no longer using PCA as a peanut butter supplier.
See the full notice here.