FDA Issues Guidance For Food Manufacturers On Use Of Peanut-Derived Product

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals;  Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 15 Mar 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that manufacturers obtain any peanut-derived ingredient only from suppliers who use production processes that have been demonstrated to adequately reduce the presence of Salmonella species (Salmonella spp.), or that they ensure that their own manufacturing process would adequately reduce the presence of Salmonella species.

The recommendations are in FDA's "Guidance for Industry: Measures to Address the Risk for Contamination by Salmonella Species in Food Containing a Peanut-Derived Product As An Ingredient."

This guidance is intended for manufacturers who use a peanut-derived product as an ingredient in a food product. Peanut-derived products include peanuts, peanut butter, peanut paste, peanut meal, and peanut granules. Recent Salmonellosis outbreaks such as the outbreak associated with Salmonella Typhimurium involving the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) demonstrate the potential for foodborne illness from the consumption of foods containing peanut-derived products if those products are contaminated with Salmonella.

According to CDC, illnesses are still being reported among people who have eaten recalled peanut-derived products contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. The Agency is concerned that illnesses will continue to occur if people eat these peanut products that may still be on their shelves at home.

Both the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials urge consumers to check the FDA's Web resource on the peanut-derived product recall or call CDC's 24-hour information hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) before eating any peanut-derived products. Product recalls also include some pet food products made by PCA.

To search for recalled peanut products, visit here.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

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