The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting a very active and dynamic investigation into the source of the recent Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that has been traced to a plant owned and operated by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) for the manufacturing of peanut butter and peanut paste (a concentrated product consisting of ground, roasted peanuts).

PCA’s products are distributed to food manufacturers to be used as an ingredient in many commercially produced products, including cakes, cookies, crackers, candies, cereal and ice cream. In addition, PCA peanut butter is distributed to and institutionally served in such settings as long-term care facilities and cafeterias.

On January 18, PCA expanded its previous voluntary recall to include more products and lot numbers relating to peanut butter and peanut paste products manufactured on or after July 1, 2008, at its Blakely, Ga., plant, because of potential Salmonella contamination. The peanut butter products being recalled are sold by PCA in bulk containers ranging in size from five to 1,700 pounds.

Major national brands of jarred peanut butter are not affected by the PCA recall. Kraft Foods, for example, has issued a statement emphasizing that it is not recalling any products in connection with the recent outbreak involving PCA-produced products.

For information about the peanut butter recall, visit the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html