N.J. Food Company Refusing to Comply with Peanut Recall Order, FDA Says

Federal authorities have served a warrant at a New Jersey food processer accused of failing to comply with Food and Drug Administration orders regarding a recall of peanuts contaminated with salmonella bacteria.

Westco Fruit and Nuts Inc., based in Irvington N.J., has refused to recall peanut products made with nuts from Peanut Corp. of America, the food maker at the center of the nationwide outbreak of peanuts contaminated with salmonella bacteria. The company also has failed to grant the FDA access to distribution documents showing where potentially contaminated foods made there were sold.

The serving of the search warrant seeking access to Westco’s records is “an appropriate step toward removing potentially harmful products from the marketplace,” the FDA said.

While the FDA does not have the authority to force food companies to recall peanuts, companies are required to give the FDA access to inspect facilities and distribution records.

The outbreak of salmonella tied to contaminated peanuts, first discovered in late 2008, was blamed for contributing to nine deaths, 700 illnesses in 46 states, and one of the largest food recalls in U.S. history involving more than 3,200 products.

Two Peanut Corp. food-processing facilities in Georgia and Texas were blamed for shipping contaminated peanuts, peanut butter, and other products. The plants have since been shut down and the company has filed for bankruptcy. Criminal charges may be filed against the company’s owner for knowingly shipping contaminated peanuts to food makers in order to avoid having to dispose of the filthy foods.

Salmonella is a common form of food poisoning that results in vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other symptoms in most people. Some people, particularly children, the elderly, the sick, and others with lowered immune systems may suffer life-threatening infections from salmonella.

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