As you are probably aware if you have read anything of mine ever, you know that in my mind there is only one good and pure and perfect food in the whole world: peanut butter. (For those of you who are new : I love peanut butter. I rationally know it is not perfect – but I still irrationally love it)
As you may also know, recently peanut butter has been getting a bad rap for making people sick.
Turns out there were multiple batches of the glorious goo that were tainted with salmonella – a potentially deadly bacteria. It has caused hundreds to get ill, and a it is even implicated in some deaths.
And thus many have condemned my beloved golden spread as a killer.
Let me tell you – it ain’t the peanut butter. It’s the idiots running the plant.
One plant on particular seems to be at fault. It now is alleged that they were aware batches were tainted and sent them out anyway. In addition they then tried to hire new labs to re-test and give them the results they wanted. Many are pushing for a criminal investigation.
I say fry those responsible in contaminated peanut oil.
My understanding is that it is not peanuts themselves that are the issue, it is the processing plant. Cross contamination along with shoddy maintenance and cleaning. Recent inspections have found mold and other gross stuff where it shouldn’t be. Yummy. Plus paying off labs and sending out known contaminated products is never good idea. What is this – China? (got milk?)
As of now over 400 products have been recalled and is one of this counties biggest recalls ever. You can go to http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm for a searchable web site.
The good news is that jar peanut butter and brand names seem to be unaffected. Don’t take my word for it – visit that site.
As peanut butter is in 75% of American homes so with this being an ongoing issue you should know where your peanut butter comes from. Salmonella is no joke.
My point is this: Don’t hate on the Peanut Butter.
Remember: Peanut Butter does not kill people – jelly does salmonella does.
Joshua Carter
