K A S H R U T . C O M_©

The following health alert is from the FDA on January 13, 2008.

Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), Lynchburg, Va a peanut processing company and maker of peanut butter for bulk distribution to institutions, food service industries, and private label food companies, today announced a voluntary recall of peanut butter produced in its Blakely, Georgia processing facility because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

All product affected was produced on or after July 1, 2008, specific to the lot numbers and descriptions listed below. The peanut butter being recalled is sold by PCA in bulk packaging to distributors for institutional and food service industry use. It is also sold under the brand name Parnell’s Pride to those same industries. Additionally, it is sold by the King Nut Company under the label King Nut. PCA customers who received the recalled product are being notified by telephone and in writing. None of the peanut butter being recalled is sold directly to consumers through retail stores.
PCA initiated this recall after an open container of King Nut brand peanut butter in a long-term care facility in Minnesota was found to contain a strain of salmonella. King Nut brand peanut butter is produced by PCA.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Minnesota laboratory analyses on the contamination in the already-opened container of peanut butter have the same genetic fingerprint as the cases in the national outbreak that has sickened almost 400 people in 42 states. The voluntary recall of 21 lots of its peanut butter, in containers ranging from five to 50 pounds, is being taken immediately. PCA is notifying its institutional customers and has set up a toll-free hotline number 1-877-564-7080 to answer questions. PCA is continuing to work closely and cooperating with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state officials as part of this ongoing investigation. According to a CDC update issued on their website today (January 13, 2009), preliminary analysis of an epidemiologic study conducted by CDC and public health officials has suggested peanut butter as a likely source. The CDC and other public health officials are continuing to conduct surveillance for cases of infection with the outbreak strains, and to gather and analyze data or exposures that may be associated with illness. To date, no association has been found with common brand names of peanut butter sold in grocery stores. Customers are asked to take all peanut butter manufactured with the lot numbers listed below out of distribution immediately. Customers can call the following toll-free 24-hour number 1-877-564-7080 for further instructions on what to do with the product or visit the company website at www.peanutcorp.com for additional information.
For more information on the salmonella bacteria, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Website at http://www.cdc.gov.
Lot Numbers Affected: 8193, 8194, 8197, 8233, 8234, 8235, 8241, 8255, 8256, 8275, 8276, 8282, 8283, 8284, 8296, 8316, 8330, 8331, 8336, 8345, 8354

The kashrus alert is from Central Rabbinical Congress on January 1, 2009.

Due to infestation in some raspberry products, the CRC conducted intensive checking and research on all raspberry products under CRC supervision, and after analyzing the results, the CRC came to the conclusion that they are recalling the following items:

• U.S..Chocolate Raspberry Cookie Filling, Raspberry Topping, Raspberry Jam Seedless and Seeded - Except oven proof jam (H.R.)
• Nature's Finest Raspberry Jam

The following kashrus alert is from the OK on December 18, 2008.

Pleased be advised that Strategic Oils Enterprises (Lagos, Nigeria)distributor of Avocado, Linseed and Rapeseed Oils is NOT certified by OK Kosher Certification. Any certfication presented by them is FORGED.

The following kashrus alert is from OU on October 3, 2008.

Israeli Spice Advisory: The Orthodox Union wishes to inform the manufacturing and food service trade that several Israeli grown spices are being distributed in generic cardboard boxes which do not identify the contents as products of Israel. The spices in question are:

• Dill (Lot #8074)
• Tarragon (Lot #8075-2)
• Cilantro (Lot #8019)
• Parsley Flakes (Lot #8075-1)

The following kashrus alert is from the OK Organized Kosher Certification on September 23, 2008.

Please be advised that Strategic Oils Enterprises, Lagos, Nigeria, distributor of Avocado, Linseed and Rapeseed Oils, is NOT certified by OK Kosher Certification. Any certificated presented by them is FORGED.