FDA: Sunland Knowingly Shipped Tainted Peanut Butter

The latest report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) inspection of Sunland, Inc., reveals inspectors found the presence of Salmonella in 28 environmental samples—three of which showed the presence of the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney. The report also suggests the company knowingly shipped Salmonella-tainted products after its own testing program identified the presence of Salmonella.

Portales, N.M.-based Sunland, Inc., is at the center of a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney that has sickened 38 people in 20 states. The outbreak began in September 2012 and was traced back to peanut butter, nut butters and peanut butter products manufactured in its facility. An initial recall of food products was triggered Sept. 22, but has been expanded nearly 10 times to now include more than 100 brands and nearly 250 products.

During the inspection, conducted between Sept. 17 and Oct. 16, 2012, investigators found that conditions in the company’s facility, the company’s manufacturing processes, and the company’s testing program for Salmonella may have allowed peanut butter that contained Salmonella to be distributed by the company.

FDA inspectors found that between June 2009 and August 2012, Sunland had distributed, or cleared for distribution, portions of 11 lots, or daily production runs, of peanut or almond butter after its own testing program identified the presence of at least one of nine different Salmonella types—Arapahoe, Bredeney, Cerro, Dallgow, Kubacha, Mbandaka, Meleagridis, Newport, and Teddington—in those lots. Two of the lots showed the presence of the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney.

Five product samples collected and analyzed by FDA from Sunland showed the presence of Salmonella, but had not been identified as containing Salmonella by Sunland’s internal testing. Among those products were peanut butter and shelled raw peanuts. Two of these samples showed the presence of the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney. FDA also found the presence of Salmonella in 28 environmental samples—three of these samples showed the presence of the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney.

Upon identifying the contaminated peanut butter, FDA investigators informed the company and called for corrective action. On Oct. 4, 2012, Sunland expanded its ongoing recall to include all products made in its nut butter production facility between March 1, 2010, and Sept. 24, 2012.

Upon identifying the contaminated shelled raw peanuts, FDA investigators informed the company and again called for corrective action. On Oct. 12, 2012, Sunland expanded its ongoing recall to include raw and roasted shelled and in-shell peanuts sold in quantities from 2 ounces to 50 pounds which are within their current shelf life or have no stated expiration date.

Investigators also found employees improperly handled equipment, containers, and utensils used to hold and store food. Employees handling peanut products wiped gloved hands on street clothes and other times failed to wash their hands or change gloves. There were no hand washing sinks in the peanut processing building production or packaging areas and employees had bare-handed contact with ready-to-package peanuts.

There were no records documenting the cleaning of production equipment. The super-sized bags used by the firm to store peanuts were not cleaned despite being used for both raw and roasted peanuts. There was a leaking sink in a washroom which resulted in water accumulating on the floor, and the plant is not built to allow floors, walls and ceilings to be adequately cleaned.

Investigators also found raw materials were exposed to potential contamination. Raw, in-shell peanuts were found outside the plant in uncovered trailers. Birds were observed landing in the trailers and the peanuts were exposed to rain, which provides a growth environment for Salmonella and other bacteria. Inside the warehouse, facility doors were open to the outside, which could allow pests to enter.