Council: Too Early to Predict <I>Salmonella</I> Impact on Industry

The American Peanut Council is being cautious over the potential long-term impact of salmonella contamination on the industry, as the recall of salmonella-contaminated peanut products goes global.

So far, the outbreak has been linked to six deaths, with nearly 500 people sickened and 107 hospitalized, according to U.S. health officials.

American Peanut Council’s (APC) European Marketing Director Louise McKercher told FoodNavigator-USA.com: “At this moment we are 100 percent focused on the health of consumers…Any outbreak that occurs is disappointing to the industry, but right now our focus has to be on consumer health.”

She said: “The vast majority (of American peanut processors) are not affected by this recall…It is one plant representing a tiny fraction of U.S. production, but even one incident is one too many.”

In an interview in November, in the midst of the Chinese melamine scandal, APC health education consultant Dr Andrew Craig said: “The American logo works well as a mark of quality.”

McKercher would not comment on whether this could change as a result of the recalls.

She said: “When the issue has been resolved we will review everything that has happened and do everything possible to stop it happening again.”

However, hopes that such a resolution could be close were dashed again today as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Dr. Tauxe told reporters in a teleconference: “More cases are being reported every day. The outbreak appears to be ongoing.”

Health officials have now confirmed the link between the salmonella outbreak and a processing plant operated by the Peanut Corporation of America in Georgia.

Source: FoodNavigator-USA.com