Yesterday the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed illnesses in Arizona (4), California (5), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Maryland (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (1), Oregon (9), Virginia (2), Washington (2), and Wisconsin (1).
Twelve victims were hospitalized, including 9 who developed a life-threatening type of kidney failure known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). The first lawsuit was filed on behalf of an 8 year-old boy who spent a month in the hospital.
The SoyNut Butter Co. recalled all I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butters and granola on March 7, followed by recalls for Beanit Butter and 20/20 LifeStyles Protein Bars.
Dixie Dew Products Inc. manufactures SoyNut Butter at a facility in Erlanger, Kentucky. The FDA shut down the facility after inspectors observed filthy conditions, broken equipment, and a pest infestation.
An apparent fly infestation was observed .… Small, apparent flies and larvae, too numerous to count, were inside an unplugged chest freezer… and flying throughout the laboratory.”
Some other highlights from the 483 report…
A 3-inch rodent hole into a box of product in the walk-in cooler. Mold was also observed growing on the surface of the butter.
Equipment used to make SoyNut Butter had not been sanitized since December 2015.
No hot water or soap at the hand-washing sink, so employees used a hose to wash their hands. The hot water tank was broken for 2 years.
Bathroom mops “stained black with apparent filth” intermingled with mops and brooms for cleaning food manufacturing equipment.
Clear liquid dripping persistently from a hole in the ceiling and splashing on food manufacturing equipment.
Floors, walls, and ceilings in the processing room “heavily coated” with old SoyNut Butter build-up from previous production runs, as well as “standing water and brown and black apparent filth” on the floor.
Nozzle for SoyNut Butter was left on the floor in a standing pool of water multiple times during the inspection and the manufacturing of Creamy Cups.
Source: E. Coli outbreak involving peanut butter substitute reaches Florida
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